The excess burden of rheumatoid arthritis in Ontario, Canada.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to estimate the excess burden of RA in Ontario, the largest province in Canada.

Methods: The records of all adult Ontarians who participated in the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) cycle 1.1 (2000/2001) and provided consent to data linkage were linked to the Ontario Health Insurance Program (OHIP) physician claims database and the Discharge Abstract Database (DAD) In-Patient (i.

Health status, hospitalizations, day procedures, and physician costs associated with body mass index (BMI) levels in Ontario, Canada.

Background: Obesity is today's principal neglected public health problem, as a rising proportion of adults will succumb to the medical complications of obesity. However, little is known about the burden of obesity in adults living in Ontario.

Objectives: To present an overview of the human and economic burden associated with BMI categories in Ontario, Canada, in terms of socio-demographics, comorbidities, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and costs associated with hospitalization, same day procedures and physician visits.

Use of nonaspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs during pregnancy and the risk of spontaneous abortion.

Background: The association between the use of nonaspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) during pregnancy and the risk of spontaneous abortion remains unclear because of inconsistent research results and the lack of evidence for an effect due to specific types or dosages of nonaspirin NSAIDs. We aimed to quantify the association between having a spontaneous abortion and types and dosages of nonaspirin NSAIDs in a cohort of pregnant women.

Methods: Using a nested case-control design, we obtained data from the Quebec Pregnancy Registry for 4705 women who had a spontaneous abortion.

Isotretinoin and the risk of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and thromboembolic disorders.

Background: Case reports suggest that isotretinoin use is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disorders; however, the clinical significance has not been determined.

Objective: To determine whether isotretinoin increases the risk of cardiovascular outcomes.

Methods: A case crossover study was performed among subjects who filled ≥1 isotretinoin prescription during 1984-2003.

Should endovascular repair be reimbursed for low risk abdominal aortic aneurysm patients? Evidence from ontario, Canada.

Background. This paper presents unpublished clinical and economic data associated with open surgical repair (OSR) in low risk (LR) patients and how it compares with EVAR and OSR in high risk (HR) patients with an AAA > 5.5 cm.

Use of antidepressants during pregnancy and the risk of spontaneous abortion.

Background: The risk of relapse of depression or the diagnosis of some other psychiatric disorders during pregnancy necessitates the use of antidepressants despite possible adverse effects. Whether such use increases the risk of spontaneous abortion is still being debated. We evaluated the risk of spontaneous abortion in relation to the use of antidepressants during pregnancy.

Discontinuation of antihypertensive drug use during the first trimester of pregnancy and the risk of preeclampsia and eclampsia among women with chronic hypertension.

Objective: The goal of this study was to investigate the association between the discontinuation of antihypertensive medication use during the first trimester of pregnancy and the risk of preeclampsia and eclampsia.

Study Design: We conducted a nested case-control approach within a cohort that was reconstructed from the linkage of 3 databases. To be included in the study, women had to match the following criteria: (1) between 15-45 years old on the first day of gestation, (2) covered by Québec's Drug Insurance Plan for at least 12 months before and during pregnancy, (3) exposed to an antihypertensive drug on the first day of gestation, and (4) have had a delivery.

Major malformations after first trimester exposure to aspirin and NSAIDs.

The use of aspirin and other NSAIDs during the first trimester of pregnancy is widespread, despite inconclusive evidence regarding the possible risks for the baby. We present an overview of the current evidence relating to the associations between aspirin or NSAID use during the first trimester of pregnancy and the risk of congenital malformations. We systematically searched Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library and the reference lists of all relevant articles from 1966 to March 2008 that examined the association between aspirin and NSAID use during the first trimester of pregnancy and the risk of congenital malformations in humans.

Effect of testosterone supplementation on functional mobility, cognition, and other parameters in older men: a randomized controlled trial.

Context: Serum testosterone levels decline significantly with aging. Testosterone supplementation to older men might beneficially affect the aging processes.

Objective: To investigate the effect of testosterone supplementation on functional mobility, cognitive function, bone mineral density, body composition, plasma lipids, quality of life, and safety parameters in older men with low normal testosterone levels.

Oral testosterone supplementation and chronic low-grade inflammation in elderly men: a 26-week randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: To determine the effect of oral testosterone supplementation on systemic low-grade inflammation measured by high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in aging men with low testosterone levels.

Methods: Two hundred thirty-seven men aged 60 to 80 years with a testosterone level of <13.7 nmol/L (below the 50th percentile of the population distribution) were recruited into a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Association of endogenous sex hormone with C-reactive protein levels in middle-aged and elderly men.

Background: In women, postmenopausal oestrogen supplementation increases levels of systemic markers of inflammation, which are important predictors of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. Whether endogenous sex hormone levels in men are also related to systemic subclinical inflammation is still unknown.

Objective: We tested the hypothesis that higher endogenous sex hormones levels within the physiological range may be associated with systemic subclinical inflammation.

Serum sex hormone and plasma homocysteine levels in middle-aged and elderly men.

Objective: To investigate whether circulating levels of testosterone (total, bioavailable), estradiol (total, bioavailable), and DHEA sulfate (DHEAS) are associated with fasting plasma homocysteine (tHcy) levels in middle-aged and elderly men.

Design: A population-based sample of 400 independently living men between 40 and 80 years of age in a cross-sectional study.

Methods: Total testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and total estradiol were measured by RIA methods and bioavailable testosterone and estradiol were calculated.

Double blind randomized placebo-controlled trial on the effects of testosterone supplementation in elderly men with moderate to low testosterone levels: design and baseline characteristics [ISRCTN23688581].

In ageing men testosterone levels decline, while cognitive function, muscle and bone mass, sexual hair growth, libido and sexual activity decline and the risk of cardiovascular diseases increase. We set up a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial to investigate the effects of testosterone supplementation on functional mobility, quality of life, body composition, cognitive function, vascular function and risk factors, and bone mineral density in older hypogonadal men. We recruited 237 men with serum testosterone levels below 13.