Associations between paediatric obesity, chemical mixtures and environmental factors, in a national cross-sectional study of Canadian children.

Background: Whilst single chemical exposures are suspected to be obesogenic, the combined role of chemical mixtures in paediatric obesity is not well understood.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the potential associations between chemical mixtures and obesity in a population-based sample of Canadian children.

Methods: We ascertained biomonitoring and health data for children aged 3-11 from the cross-sectional Canadian Health Measures Survey from 2007 to 2019.

A Systematic Review of the Cost-Effectiveness Analyses of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) Inhibitors in Patients with Locally Advanced or Metastatic Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC).

Background: The anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor treatment landscape is rapidly evolving, providing patients with ALK-positive (+) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with multiple therapy options, multiple lines of treatments, and prolonged survival. However, these recent treatment advances have resulted in additional increases in treatment costs. The objective of this article is to review the economic evidence of ALK inhibitors in patients with ALK+ NSCLC.

Comparison of Fracture Identification Using Different Definitions in Healthcare Administrative (Claims) Data.

We identified inconsistency in fracture definitions in a prior review of studies that utilized claims data. Here, we aimed to compare fracture rates estimated using thirteen hip and seven radius/ulna fracture definitions. Our primary analysis compared results in a cohort of 120,363 older adults treated with oral bisphosphonates for ≥3 years.

Impact of policy changes and drug shortages on acamprosate and naltrexone use in Ontario, Canada.

Background: Acamprosate and naltrexone, evidence-based pharmacotherapies for alcohol use disorder (AUD), are publicly covered by the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) programs; however, their availability has changed over time, with expanded formulary access in July 2018, followed by an acamprosate shortage in February 2019 and ending in July 2020. We evaluated the impact of these events on the use of these medications in Ontario, Canada.

Methods: We conducted a time-series analysis among individuals with AUD dispensed acamprosate or naltrexone through the ODB from July 2016 to December 2020.

Regional differences in access to direct-acting antiviral treatments for hepatitis C across Ontario: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are curative treatments for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, a condition affecting over 100,000 Ontarians. Although DAAs are covered under the public drug programs in Ontario, receiving prescriptions depends on access to healthcare. The aim of this study is to understand the relationship between DAA treatment rates and distance to prescriber in Ontario, Canada.

Fracture outcome definitions in observational osteoporosis drug effects studies: a scoping review protocol.

Objective: The objective of this review is to describe fracture outcome definitions in observational osteoporosis drug effects studies from Canada and the United States.

Introduction: Health care administrative data are commonly utilized in pharmacoepidemiologic studies. These data are used to define outcomes, such as fractures, and are critical to determining real-world safety and effectiveness of medications.

Impact of COVID-19 on Prescribing Trends of Direct-Acting Antivirals for the Treatment of Hepatitis C in Ontario, Canada.

Introduction: Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are curative treatments for hepatitis C. However, initiation of these treatments requires adequate healthcare access. Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) resulted in restrictions to healthcare services in March 2020.

Global Utilization Trends of Direct Acting Antivirals (DAAs) during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Time Series Analysis.

The 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has placed a significant strain on hepatitis programs and interventions (screening, diagnosis, and treatment) at a critical moment in the context of hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination. We sought to quantify changes in Direct Acting Antiviral (DAA) utilization among different countries during the pandemic. We conducted a cross-sectional time series analysis between 1 September 2018 and 31 August 2020, using the IQVIA MIDAS database, which contains DAA purchase data for 54 countries.

Association of low birth weight and prematurity with clinical outcomes of childhood nephrotic syndrome: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Low birth weight (LBW)/prematurity have been proposed as risk factors for the development of kidney disease in adulthood. Whether there is an association between LBW/prematurity and poor renal outcomes in childhood onset nephrotic syndrome remains unknown.

Methods: Children with nephrotic syndrome diagnosed between 1 and 18 years of age were followed prospectively from 1996 to 2016 at The Hospital for Sick Children (N = 377).