Injury and Illness Trends in the National Hockey League Following an Abrupt Cessation of Play.

Background: The National Hockey League (NHL) saw an unprecedented disruption to the competitive calendar due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March of 2020. Returning to play following an abrupt cessation of activity is a known risk factor for athletes.

Purpose: To analyze the occurrence and severity of events (injury and illness) in the NHL and to understand any differences in occurrence and severity between pre-pandemic seasons and seasons that immediately followed.

Farming and the risk of developing osteoarthritis in Alberta, Canada.

Introduction: Because farming is a physically demanding occupation, farmers may be susceptible to developing osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this study was to determine the risk of developing OA in Canadian farm, non-farm rural and urban residents.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of five Alberta health administrative databases examined the risk of developing OA among three groups: farm (n=143 431), non-farm rural (n=143 431) and urban (n=143 431) residents over the fiscal years 2000-2001 through 2020-2021.

Human papillomavirus vaccine coverage among immigrant adolescents in Alberta: a population-based cohort study.

Background: Little is known about human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among immigrant children in Canada. We conducted a study in Alberta, Canada to assess HPV vaccine coverage among school-aged immigrant children compared with non-immigrant children.

Methods: This cohort study analysed population-based linked administrative health data to measure HPV vaccine coverage for 346 749 school-aged children, including 31 656 immigrants.

Predicting 30-day risk from benzodiazepine/Z-drug dispensations in older adults using administrative data: A prognostic machine learning approach.

Objective: To develop a machine-learning (ML) model using administrative data to estimate risk of adverse outcomes within 30-days of a benzodiazepine (BZRA) dispensation in older adults for use by health departments/regulators.

Design, Setting And Participants: This study was conducted in Alberta, Canada during 2018-2019 in Albertans 65 years of age and older. Those with any history of malignancy or palliative care were excluded.

Incidence and risk factors for revision and contralateral anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A population-based retrospective cohort study.

There is a limited data on epidemiology of primary and recurrent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) in Canada. The objectives of this study were to examine the incidence and factors associated with recurrent ACLR (revision and contralateral ACLR) in a western Canadian province of Alberta. We conducted a retrospective cohort study with an average follow up of 5.

The Effectiveness of Workplace Musculoskeletal Injury Risk Factor Screening Tools for Reducing Injury: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Musculoskeletal injury (MSI) contributes to global health burdens. Effective MSI prevention is necessary. MSI risk factor screening tools can be used by employers to identify and mitigate occupational hazards.

School immunization coverage in adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: A retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: Few studies have assessed the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on immunization coverage for adolescents, and little is known about how coverage has changed throughout the pandemic. We aimed to: (1) assess the change in coverage for school-based vaccines in Alberta, Canada resulting from the pandemic; (2) determine whether coverage differed by geographic health zone and school type; and (3) ascertain whether coverage has returned to pre-pandemic levels.

Methods: Using a retrospective cohort design, we used administrative health data to compare coverage for human papillomavirus (HPV) and meningococcal conjugate A, C, Y, W-135 (MenC-ACYW) vaccines between pre-pandemic (2017-2018 school year) and pandemic (2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years) cohorts (N = 289,420).

Development and Validation of a Machine Learning Model to Estimate Risk of Adverse Outcomes Within 30 Days of Opioid Dispensation.

Importance: Machine learning approaches can assist opioid stewardship by identifying high-risk opioid prescribing for potential interventions.

Objective: To develop a machine learning model for deployment that can estimate the risk of adverse outcomes within 30 days of an opioid dispensation as a potential component of prescription drug monitoring programs using access to real-world data.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This prognostic study used population-level administrative health data to construct a machine learning model.

Comparing rural traffic safety in Canada and Australia: a scoping review of the literature.

Introduction: The reduction of road fatalities is a priority established by the WHO and ratified by the UN. Rates of road fatalities are disproportionately high in rural areas in both Australia and Canada, two Commonwealth countries with comparable healthcare systems and rural health challenges. The purpose of this review was to compare and contrast the epidemiology, risk factors and prevention strategies of rural road fatalities in both countries to inform the next steps for prevention.

Sports-Related Concussions in Adults Presenting to Canadian Emergency Departments.

Objective: To document the occurrence and recovery outcomes of sports-related concussions (SRCs) presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) in a community-based sample.

Design: A prospective observational cohort study was conducted in 3 Canadian hospitals.

Setting: Emergency Department.

Increasing incidence of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a 17-year population-based study.

Purpose: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are one of the most frequently studied injuries in orthopedic care and research. However, limited epidemiological data are available in Canada regarding trend and distribution of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). In this paper, our purpose was to assess trends of ACLR between 2002/03 and 2018/19 by age, sex, season of surgery, and location (inpatient vs outpatient) of surgery.

Risk Factors for Developing Concurrent Posttraumatic Stress Injury After Work-Related Musculoskeletal Injury: A Case-Control Study.

Objective: This study aimed to study risk factors for developing concurrent posttraumatic stress injury (PTSI) among workers experiencing work-related musculoskeletal injury (MSI).

Methods: A case-control study was conducted using workers' compensation data on injured workers undergoing rehabilitation programs for concurrent MSI and PTSI (cases) and MSI only (controls). A variety of measures known at the time of the compensable injury were entered into logistic regression models.

Road traffic fatalities in rural and remote Australia from 2006 to 2017: The need for targeted action.

Objective: To explore rural motor vehicle collision (MVC) fatalities by trends over time, mode of transport, age, state, sex, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status.

Design: A retrospective total population-based time series was conducted using the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) death registration data.

Setting: All statistical local area (SLA) within Australia from 2006 to 2017.

Predicting 30-Day Readmissions in Patients With Heart Failure Using Administrative Data: A Machine Learning Approach.

Background: We sought to develop machine learning (ML) models trained on administrative data which predict risk of readmission in patients with heart failure and to evaluate and compare the ML model with the currently used LaCE score using clinically informative metrics.

Methods And Results: This prognostic study was conducted in Alberta, Canada, on 9845 patients with confirmed heart failure admitted to hospital between 2012 and 2019. The outcome was unplanned all-cause hospital readmission within 30 days of discharge.

Risk factors for incidence of dementia in primary care practice: a retrospective cohort study in older adults.

Background: The dementias are long-term, chronic conditions caused by progressive neurological degeneration. Current literature suggests that cardiovascular disease risk factors may contribute to the onset of dementia; however, evidence of these associations is inconsistent.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the impact of risk factors on dementia onset in older adults diagnosed and managed in Canadian primary care settings.

Sex-based differences in outcomes for adult patients presenting to the emergency department with a concussion.

Objective: Patients with concussion frequently present to the emergency department (ED). Studies of athletes and children indicate that concussion symptoms are often more severe and prolonged in females compared with males. Given infrequent study of concussion symptoms in the general adult population, the authors conducted a sex-based comparison of patients with concussion.

Epidemiology of dementia onset captured in Canadian primary care electronic medical records.

Background: Dementia is an increasing concern in many countries, especially in those experiencing rapid growth in the proportion of older adults in their population.

Objective: This study aims to describe trends and demographic characteristics of incident dementia cases in community-dwelling older adults managed by primary care physicians.

Methods: We used electronic medical records from the Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network database to conduct a retrospective analysis to determine the number of, and trends for, incident diagnoses of dementia.

Intergenerational transfer of occupational risks on family farms.

Background: Cultures of safety in farm work settings are under the authority of a responsible owner-operator, who establishes rules, attitudes, and behaviors for farm work practices. This novel analysis provides new evidence to show that risks that can lead to injury and are commonly practiced on Canadian farms are indeed transferred between generations.

Methods: Baseline data were provided by representatives from eligible and consenting farms (n = 589) in the province of Saskatchewan, Canada, during the first quarter of 2013.

Cohort study of medical cannabis authorization and motor vehicle crash-related healthcare visits in 2014-2017 in Ontario, Canada.

Background: With increasing numbers of countries/jurisdictions legalizing cannabis, cannabis impaired driving has become a serious public health concern. Despite substantive research linking cannabis use with higher rates of motor vehicle crashes (MVC), there is an absence of conclusive evidence linking MVC risk with medical cannabis use. In fact, there is no clear understanding of the impact of medical cannabis use on short- and long-term motor vehicle-related healthcare visits.

Characteristics and Prognostic Factors for Return to Work in Public Safety Personnel with Work-Related Posttraumatic Stress Injury Undergoing Rehabilitation.

Public safety personnel (PSP) are at risk of developing posttraumatic stress injury (PTSI) due to exposure to traumatic experiences and accidents. Rehabilitation programs are available, but their success varies. We studied: (1) characteristics of PSP undergoing PTSI rehabilitation in comparison to non-PSP workers; and (2) predictive value of various factors for return to work.

Effect of preoperative long-term opioid therapy on patient outcomes after total knee arthroplasty: an analysis of multicentre population-based administrative data.

Background: Up to 40% of patients are receiving opioids at the time of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in the United States despite evidence suggesting opioids are ineffective for pain associated with arthritis and have substantial risks. Our primary objective was to determine whether preoperative opioid users had worse knee pain and physical function outcomes 12 months after TKA than patients who were opioid-naive preoperatively; our secondary objective was to determine the prevalence of opioid use before and after TKA in Alberta, Canada.

Methods: In this retrospective analysis of population-based data, we identified adult patients who underwent TKA between 2013 and 2015 in Alberta.

Child drowning on farms in Canada and associated demographic and risk factors.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the occurrence and characteristics of child drowning deaths on farms compared with other child injury deaths on farms.

Methods: This study uses cross-sectional data from the Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting Program for the years 1990 through 2012. Using χ tests and regression, it compares the occurrence of demographics and potential risk factors between drowning deaths and all other injury deaths among children (< 19 years of age) on farms.

Fatal farm injuries to Canadian children.

Children on Canadian farms are at high risk for fatal injury. Ongoing surveillance of these deaths is required to affirm recurrent patterns of injury, and to determine whether historical approaches to prevention have resulted in declines in the occurrence of these traumatic events. We analyzed epidemiological patterns and trends in the occurrence of fatal pediatric farm injuries over 23 years.