Patient Satisfaction With Breast Cancer Care Delivery at the National Cancer Institute of Sri Lanka: Does Language Play a Role?

Purpose: This study sought to examine whether there was an association between language barriers and patient satisfaction with breast cancer care in Sri Lanka.

Methods: A telephone-based survey was conducted in the three official languages (Sinhala, Tamil, or English) among adult women (older than 18 years) who had been treated for breast cancer within 6-12 months of diagnosis at the National Cancer Institute of Sri Lanka. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Satisfaction with Cancer Care core questionnaire was adapted to assess three main domains (physicians, allied health care professionals, and the organization).

Death and Dialysis Following Discharge From Chronic Kidney Disease Clinic: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Multidisciplinary care is recommended for patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). A formalized, risk-based approach to CKD management is being adopted in some jurisdictions. In Ontario, Canada, the eligibility criteria for multidisciplinary CKD care funding were revised between 2016 and 2018 to a 2 year risk of kidney replacement therapy (KRT) greater than 10% calculated by the 4-variable Kidney Failure Risk Equation (KFRE).

Independent External Validation and Comparison of Death and Kidney Replacement Therapy Prediction Models in Advanced CKD.

Rationale & Objective: The Kidney Failure Risk Equation (KFRE) is widely used to predict the risk of kidney replacement therapy (KRT) initiation in chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages G3-G5. The new Grams calculator developed for advanced CKD (stage G4+) predicts KRT initiation, cardiovascular events, and death by uniquely incorporating the competing risk of death. We aimed to validate this tool in a stage G4+ cohort for death and KRT.

Recovery From Dialysis-Treated Acute Kidney Injury in Patients With Cirrhosis: A Population-Based Study.

Rationale & Objective: The decision to initiate kidney replacement therapy (KRT) for acute kidney injury (AKI) in cirrhosis remains controversial because it is unclear which patients will benefit. We sought to characterize factors associated with recovery from KRT-treated AKI in patients with cirrhosis to inform shared clinical decision-making.

Study Design: Population-based retrospective cohort study.

Child Maltreatment and Public Health: Do Gaps in Response during the COVID-19 Pandemic Highlight Jurisdictional Complexities?

: Countermeasures introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic produced an environment that placed some children at increased risk of maltreatment at the same time as there were decreased opportunities for identifying and reporting abuse. Unfortunately, coordinated government responses to address child protection since the start of the pandemic have been limited in Canada. As an exploratory study to examine the potential academic evidence base and location of expertise that could have been used to inform COVID-19 pandemic response, we undertook a review of child maltreatment research across three prominent Canadian professional journals in social work, medicine and public health.

Cannabis and its derivatives for the use of motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Recent changes to the legal status of cannabis across various countries have renewed interest in exploring its use in Parkinson's disease (PD). The use of cannabinoids for alleviation of motor symptoms has been extensively explored in pre-clinical studies.

Objective: We aim to systematically review and meta-analyze literature on the use of medical cannabis or its derivatives (MC) in PD patients to determine its effect on motor function and its safety profile.

Management of Patients With Glomerulonephritis During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Recommendations From the Canadian Society of Nephrology COVID-19 Rapid Response Team.

Purpose Of Program: This article will provide guidance on how to best manage patients with glomerulonephritis (GN) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sources Of Information: We reviewed relevant published literature, program-specific documents, and guidance documents from international societies. An informal survey of Canadian nephrologists was conducted to identify practice patterns and expert opinions.

Management of Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Suggestions From the Canadian Society of Nephrology COVID-19 Rapid Response Team.

Purpose Of Program: To provide guidance on the management of patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) not requiring kidney replacement therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sources Of Information: Program-specific documents, pre-existing, and related to COVID-19; documents from national and international kidney agencies; national and international webinars, including webinars that we hosted for input and feedback; with additional information from formal and informal review of published academic literature.

Methods: Challenges in the care of patients with advanced CKD during the COVID-19 pandemic were highlighted within the Canadian Senior Renal Leaders Forum discussion group.