Fingolimod and risk of skin cancer among individuals with multiple sclerosis: a population-based cohort study protocol.

Introduction: Long-term population-based safety studies, applying advanced causal inference techniques, including an active comparator with new-user design, are needed to investigate skin cancer outcomes among individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with fingolimod. This study aims to describe a protocol for investigating the relationship between fingolimod use and the incidence of skin cancer among individuals with MS.

Methods And Analysis: We will use population-based administrative health data from two Canadian provinces (British Columbia and Alberta) to conduct an observational cohort 'trial emulation' study with an active comparator and new-user design.

Proton arc therapy plan optimization with energy layer pre-selection driven by organ at risk sparing and delivery time.

Objective: As proton arc therapy (PAT) approaches clinical implementation, optimizing treatment plans for this innovative delivery modality remains challenging, especially in addressing arc delivery time. Existing algorithms for minimizing delivery time are either optimal but computationally demanding or fast but at the expense of sacrificing many degrees of freedom. In this study, we introduce a flexible method for pre-selecting energy layers (EL) in PAT treatment planning before the actual robust spot weight optimization.

Do individuals with inflammatory arthritis receive minimally adequate treatment for incident depression and anxiety: A population-based study.

Objectives: Describe patterns of pharmacotherapy and psychological treatment and evaluate receipt of minimally adequate treatment for incident depression and anxiety in individuals with inflammatory arthritis (IA).

Methods: We used population-based linked administrative health databases from British Columbia, Canada to evaluate pharmacotherapy and psychological treatments for incident depression and/or anxiety among individuals with IA and without IA ('IA-free controls'). We defined minimally adequate pharmacotherapy as antidepressant prescriptions filled with ≥ 84 days' supply and adequate psychological treatment as ≥ 4 counselling/psychotherapy services.

Effect of Improved Provider Communication and Adherence to Guidelines on PrEP Initiation in Kisumu Kenya.

Introduction: Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Kenya have low pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) initiation rates in part due to stigmatizing interactions with health care providers. Our recent randomized clinical trial of a standardized patient actor (SP) training intervention for providers found higher quality PrEP delivery at intervention sites, however it was unclear whether improved service quality improved PrEP initiation.

Methods: This analysis used routine records from facilities participating in the randomized trial which aimed to improve provider communication and adherence to Kenyan guidelines when offering PrEP to AGYW.