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Abstract Objective Comorbid anxiety occurs often in MS and is associated with disability progression. Polygenic scores offer a possible means of anxiety risk prediction but often have not been validated outside the original discovery population. We aimed to investigate the association between the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2‐item scale polygenic score with anxiety in MS. Methods Using a case–control design, participants from Canadian, UK Biobank, and United States cohorts were grouped into cases (MS/comorbid anxiety) or controls (MS/no anxiety, anxiety/no immune disease or healthy). We used multiple anxiety measures: current symptoms, lifetime interview‐diagnosed, and lifetime self‐report physician‐diagnosed. The polygenic score was computed for current anxiety symptoms using summary statistics from a previous genome‐wide association study and was tested using regression. Results A total of 71,343 individuals of European genetic ancestry were used: Canada (n = 334; 212 MS), UK Biobank (n = 70,431; 1,390 MS), and the USA (n = 578 MS). Meta‐analyses identified that in MS, each 1‐SD increase in the polygenic score was associated with ~50% increased odds of comorbid moderate anxious symptoms compared to those with less than moderate anxious symptoms (OR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.09–1.99). We found a similar direction of effects in the other measures. MS had a similar anxiety genetic burden compared to people with anxiety as the index disease. Interpretation Higher genetic burden for anxiety was associated with significantly increased odds of moderate anxious symptoms in MS of European genetic ancestry which did not differ from those with anxiety and no comorbid immune disease. This study suggests a genetic basis for anxiety in MS.

Abstract Background There are gaps in our understanding of treatment needs among people who use methamphetamine. We examined the demographics, perceived treatment needs, barriers to accessing care, and stigma experienced by an inpatient sample of people who use methamphetamine. Methods This study surveyed a convenience sample of patients admitted to psychiatry wards with a history of methamphetamine use in Winnipeg, Canada, between May 1 and July 31, 2019. The Perceived Need for Care Questionnaire (PNCQ-9) was used to assess treatment needs and barriers to care, and the Substance Use Stigma Mechanisms Scale (SU-SMS) was used to assess enacted, anticipated, and internalized stigma. Prevalence rates of perceived need, stigma, and demographic variables were determined. Results A total of 103 potential participants were identified, with 34 completing the survey. The most common age group was 21–30 years of age (41.2%); an approximate equal number of men and women; and almost all were single and never married (91.1%). Rates of perceived need for care were very high across all treatment types, including 91% identifying a need for medication treatment for their mental health or substance use. Despite the majority receiving care across the seven types of care described in the PNCQ-9, most felt they did not receive enough care. Unmet need for care was therefore high in many categories, including rates of 87% for counselling and skills training. The most common barriers to having needs met were a desire to self-manage substance use, and not receiving care after asking for help. Almost all participants reported experiencing stigma (94%). Stigma from family was endorsed significantly more than stigma from health care providers (p = 0.005). Conclusions The average hospitalized person who uses methamphetamine in this sample is young, single, and has not completed any post-secondary education. High rates of perceived treatment need suggest an awareness of problems with methamphetamine, yet most interventions are perceived as inadequate. People who used methamphetamine felt highly stigmatized, particularly by their family members. Trial registration Registered with the Health Research Ethics Board at the University of Manitoba (Number HS22605 (H2019:072), renewed February 14, 2022).

Abstract Reports of cognitive impairment in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been mixed. IBD and cardiovascular disease are often co-morbid, yet it remains unknown whether vascular comorbidity confers a risk for decreased cognitive functioning, as observed in other populations. Participants with IBD were recruited from a longitudinal study of immune-mediated disease. Participants were administered a standardized neuropsychological test protocol, evaluating information processing speed, verbal learning and memory, visual learning and memory, and verbal fluency/executive function. Cognitive test scores were standardized using local regression-based norms, adjusting for age, sex, and education. Vascular risk was calculated using a modified Framingham Risk Score (FRS). We tested the association between FRS and cognitive test scores using a quantile regression model, adjusting for IBD type. Of 84 IBD participants, 54 had ulcerative colitis and 30 had Crohn’s disease; mean (SD) age was 53.36 (13.95) years, and a high proportion were females (n = 58). As the risk score (FRS) increased, participants demonstrated lower performance in information processing speed (β = − 0.12; 95% CI − 0.24, − 0.006) and verbal learning (β = − 0.14; 95% CI − 0.28, − 0.01) at the 50th percentile. After adjusting for IBD type and disease activity, higher FRS remained associated with lower information processing speed (β = − 0.14; 95% CI − 0.27, − 0.065). Vascular comorbidity is associated with lower cognitive functioning in persons with IBD, particularly in the area of information processing speed. These findings suggest that prevention, identification, and treatment of vascular comorbidity in IBD may play a critical role for improving functional outcomes in IBD.

IntroductionImmune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID), such as multiple sclerosis (MS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have high rates of elevated anxiety symptoms. This can may worsen functioning and increase IMID disease burden. The rate of and factors associated with elevated anxiety symptoms may differ between males and females, which, in turn can affect diagnosis and disease management. We evaluated whether the frequency and factors associated with comorbid elevated anxiety symptoms in those with an IMID differed by sex.MethodsParticipants with an IMID (MS, IBD or RA) completed two anxiety measures (HADS, GAD-7). We used logistic regression to investigate whether sex differences exist in the presence of comorbid elevated anxiety symptoms or in the endorsement of individual anxiety items in those with an IMID.ResultsOf 656 participants, females with an IMID were more likely to have elevated anxiety symptoms compared to males (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.05; 95%CI: 1.2, 3.6). Younger age, higher depressive symptoms and income were also associated with elevated anxiety symptoms in IMID. Lower income in males with an IMID, but not females, was associated with elevated anxiety symptoms (aOR: 4.8; 95%CI: 1.5, 15.6). No other factors demonstrated a sex difference. Males had nearly twice the odds of endorsing restlessness on the GAD-7 (OR = 1.8, 95%CI: 1.07, 3.15) compared to females.DiscussionWe found evidence for sex differences in the factors associated with experiencing elevated anxiety symptoms in those with an IMID. These findings could be helpful to sensitize clinicians to monitor for comorbid anxiety symptoms in males with an IMID.

BackgroundFifty-one percent of individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) develop cognitive impairment (CI) in information processing speed (IPS). Although IPS scores are associated with health and well-being, neural changes that underlie IPS impairments in MS are not understood. Resting state fMRI can provide insight into brain function changes underlying impairment in persons with MS.ObjectivesWe aimed to assess functional connectivity (FC) differences in (i) persons with MS compared to healthy controls (HC), (ii) persons with both MS and CI (MS-CI) compared to HC, (iii) persons with MS that are cognitively preserved (MS-CP) compared to HC, (iv) MS-CI compared to MS-CP, and (v) in relation to cognition within the MS group.MethodsWe included 107 participants with MS (age 49.5 ± 12.9, 82% women), and 94 controls (age 37.9 ± 15.4, 66% women). Each participant was administered the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) and underwent a resting state fMRI scan. The MS-CI group was created by applying a z-score cut-off of ≤−1.5 to locally normalized SDMT scores. The MS-CP group was created by applying a z-score of ≥0. Control groups (HCMS-CI and HCMS-CP) were based on the nearest age-matched HC participants. A whole-brain ROI-to-ROI analysis was performed followed by specific contrasts and a regression analysis.ResultsIndividuals with MS showed FC differences compared to HC that involved the cerebellum, visual and language-associated brain regions, and the thalamus, hippocampus, and basal ganglia. The MS-CI showed FC differences compared to HCMS-CI that involved the cerebellum, visual and language-associated areas, thalamus, and caudate. SDMT scores were correlated with FC between the cerebellum and lateral occipital cortex in MS. No differences were observed between the MS-CP and HCMS-CP or MS-CI and MS-CP groups.ConclusionOur findings emphasize FC changes of cerebellar, visual, and language-associated areas in persons with MS. These differences were apparent for (i) all MS participants compared to HC, (ii) MS-CI subgroup and their matched controls, and (iii) the association between FC and SDMT scores within the MS group. Our findings strongly suggest that future work that examines the associations between FC and IPS impairments in MS should focus on the involvement of these regions.

Abstract Background The coronavirus pandemic necessitated the rapid transition to virtual care. At a 24-h walk-in mental health Crisis Response Centre (CRC) in Winnipeg, Canada we adapted crisis mental health assessments to be offered virtually while the crisis centre also remained open to in person visits. Little is known about the sustainability of virtual visits in the presence of comparable in person care, and which visits are more likely to be done virtually, particularly in the crisis setting. Methods An analysis of visits to the CRC from the first local lockdown on March 19, 2020 through the third local wave with heightened public health restrictions in June 2021. Analysis of Variance was used to compare the proportion of visits occurring virtually (telephone or videoconference) during the first wave of heightened public health restrictions (lockdown 1) and subsequent lockdowns as well as the in-between periods. A binary logistic regression examined visit, sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with receipt of a virtual visit compared to an in person visit over the first year of the pandemic. Results Out of 5,357 visits, 993 (18.5%) occurred virtually. There was a significant difference in proportion of virtual visits across the pandemic time periods (F(4, 62) = 8.56, p

Objective In this study, we aimed to determine the lifetime prevalence of substance use disorder (SUD) in a Canadian rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cohort and factors associated with SUD in RA. Methods Participants with RA (N = 154) were recruited via rheumatology clinics as part of a larger cohort study of psychiatric comorbidity in immune‐mediated inflammatory diseases. SUD is defined as the uncontrolled use of a substance despite the harmful consequences of its use. To identify lifetime SUD, the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition was administered to participants. Participants’ sociodemographic and RA clinical characteristics were also assessed. We examined factors associated with lifetime SUD using unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression modeling. Results Twenty‐three (14.9%) of 154 participants with RA met the criteria for a lifetime diagnosis of SUD. The majority of the participants were women, were White, had postsecondary education, and were on a disease‐modifying antirheumatic drug. Factors associated with increased odds of SUD were male sex (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 3.63, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03‐12.73), younger age (aOR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.90‐0.98), and ever smoking (aOR: 6.44, 95% CI: 1.53‐27.07). Conclusion We found that approximately 1 in 7 individuals with RA had a lifetime diagnosis of SUD, highlighting the importance of identifying and treating SUD in those with RA. In particular, the following factors were associated with higher odds of SUD: male sex, younger age, and smoking behaviors.

We aimed to describe the negative and positive impacts of changes in cancer care delivery due to COVID-19 pandemic for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) in Canada, as well as the correlates of negative impact and their perspectives on optimization of cancer care. We conducted an online, self-administered survey of AYAs with cancer living in Canada between January and February 2021. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with a negative impact on cancer care. Of the 805 participants, 173 (21.5%) experienced a negative impact on their cancer care including delays in diagnostic tests (11.9%), cancer treatment (11.4%), and appointments (11.1%). A prior diagnosis of mental or chronic physical health condition, an annual income of p-value < 0.05). The majority (n = 767, 95.2%) stated a positive impact of the changes to cancer care delivery, including the implementation of virtual healthcare visits (n = 601, 74.6%). Pandemic-related changes in cancer care delivery have unfavorably and favorably influenced AYAs with cancer. Interventions to support AYAs who are more vulnerable to the adverse effects of the pandemic, and the thoughtful integration of virtual care into cancer care delivery models is essential.

Abstract Background Pregnancy loss is common and several factors (e.g. chromosomal anomalies, parental age) are known to increase the risk of occurrence. However, much existing research focuses on recurrent loss; comparatively little is known about the predictors of a first miscarriage. Our objective was to estimate the population-level prevalence of miscarriages and to assess the contributions of clinical, social, and health care use factors as predictors of the first detected occurrence of these losses. Methods In this population-based cohort study, we used linked administrative health data to estimate annual rates of miscarriage in the Manitoba population from 2003 to 2014, as a share of identified pregnancies. We compared the unadjusted associations between clinical, social, and health care use factors and first detected miscarriage compared with a live birth. We estimated multivariable generalized linear models to assess whether risk factors were associated with first detected miscarriage controlling for other predictors. Results We estimated an average annual miscarriage rate of 11.3%. In our final sample (n = 79,978 women), the fully-adjusted model indicated that use of infertility drugs was associated with a 4 percentage point higher risk of miscarriage (95% CI 0.02, 0.06) and a past suicide attempt with a 3 percentage point higher risk (95% CI -0.002, 0.07). Women with high morbidity were twice as likely to experience a miscarriage compared to women with low morbidity (RD = 0.12, 95% CI 0.09, 0.15). Women on income assistance had a 3 percentage point lower risk (95% CI -0.04, -0.02). Conclusions We estimate that 1 in 9 pregnant women in Manitoba experience and seek care for a miscarriage. After adjusting for clinical factors, past health care use and morbidity contribute important additional information about the risk of first detected miscarriage. Social factors may also be informative.

Introduction: Second-generation long-acting injectable antipsychotics (SG-LAIAs) may improve outcomes compared to other antipsychotics. Real-world studies using linked administrative databases play an important role in assessing the comparative effectiveness of antipsychotic medications.Methods: We used a prevalent new-user design in a population-based cohort of antipsychotic users with diagnosis of a psychotic disorder to compare the primary outcome of treatment failure, defined as psychiatric hospitalization, completed suicide, incarceration, or treatment discontinuation. Additional outcomes were all-cause mortality. SG-LAIA users were matched on a 1:1 basis with other antipsychotic users based on the time-conditional propensity score, calendar time, and prior antipsychotic exposure.Results: The use of LAIAs was not associated with a lower risk of treatment failure than other antipsychotics (adjusted hazard ratio 1.07 and 95% confidence interval 0.98–1.15) but did reduce all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 0.69 and 95% confidence interval 0.48–0.99). Monotherapy with LAIAs was superior to other antipsychotic monotherapy (adjusted hazard ratio for treatment failure 0.83 and 95% confidence interval 0.78–0.89), and LAIAs were superior to other antipsychotics in antipsychotic-naïve users (adjusted hazard ratio for treatment failure 0.57 and 95% confidence interval 0.47–0.70).Conclusion: In this population-based cohort, SG-LAIAs reduced the risk of treatment failure in incident new users but not in prevalent new users.

ObjectiveVascular comorbidities are associated with reduced cognitive performance and with changes in brain structure in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Understanding causal pathways is necessary to support the design of interventions to mitigate the impacts of comorbidities, and to monitor their effectiveness. We assessed the inter-relationships among vascular comorbidity, cognition and brain structure in people with MS.MethodsAdults with neurologist-confirmed MS reported comorbidities, and underwent assessment of their blood pressure, HbA1c, and cognitive functioning (i.e., Symbol Digit Modalities Test, California Verbal Learning Test, Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised, and verbal fluency). Test scores were converted to age-, sex-, and education-adjusted z-scores. Whole brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was completed, from which measures of thalamic and hippocampal volumes, and mean diffusivity of gray matter and normal-appearing white matter were converted to age and sex-adjusted z-scores. Canonical correlation analysis was used to identify linear combinations of cognitive measures (cognitive variate) and MRI measures (MRI variate) that accounted for the most correlation between the cognitive and MRI measures. Regression analyses were used to test whether MRI measures mediated the relationships between the number of vascular comorbidities and cognition measures.ResultsOf 105 participants, most were women (84.8%) with a mean (SD) age of 51.8 (12.8) years and age of symptom onset of 29.4 (10.5) years. Vascular comorbidity was common, with 35.2% of participants reporting one, 15.2% reporting two, and 8.6% reporting three or more. Canonical correlation analysis of the cognitive and MRI variables identified one pair of variates (Pillai's trace = 0.45, p = 0.0035). The biggest contributors to the cognitive variate were the SDMT and CVLT-II, and to the MRI variate were gray matter MD and thalamic volume. The correlation between cognitive and MRI variates was 0.50; these variates were used in regression analyses. On regression analysis, vascular comorbidity was associated with the MRI variate, and with the cognitive variate. After adjusting for the MRI variate, vascular comorbidity was not associated with the cognitive variate.ConclusionVascular comorbidity is associated with lower cognitive function in people with MS and this association is partially mediated via changes in brain macrostructure and microstructure.

ObjectiveUse of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs (non-benzodiazepine sedative hypnotics) is controversial due to adverse health outcomes in the general population. However, little is known about their use in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). We estimated the incidence and prevalence of benzodiazepine and Z-drug use (jointly BZD) in the MS population as compared to an age-, sex- and geographically-matched population without MS, and examined the association of mood/anxiety disorders with the use of BZD over a twenty-year period.MethodsUsing administrative data from Manitoba, Canada, we identified 2,985 persons with incident MS and 14,891 persons without MS matched 5:1 on sex, birth year and region. We applied validated case definitions to identify persons with any mood/anxiety disorder. Dispensations of BZD were identified. To assess the association between MS, mood/anxiety disorders and BZD use we constructed generalized linear models adjusting for age, sex, index year, socioeconomic status, urban/rural residence, physical comorbidities, and health care use. We also examined patterns of BZD use.ResultsIn 2016, the crude incidence of benzodiazepine use in the MS cohort was 2.10% (95%CI: 1.43–2.98%), 1.49-fold higher than in the non-MS cohort (1.41%; 95%CI: 1.18–1.67%). The crude incidence of Z-drug use in the MS cohort was 1.77% (95%CI: 1.20–2.51%), 1.78-fold higher than in the non-MS cohort (0.99%; 95%CI: 0.81–1.21%). After adjusting for covariates, among individuals without an active mood/anxiety disorder, the MS cohort had a 39% increased incidence rate of benzodiazepine use and a 72% increased incidence rate of Z-drug use as compared to the non-MS cohort. Among individuals with an active mood/anxiety disorder, the incidence of BZD use did not differ between the MS and non-MS cohorts. A higher proportion of people with MS used BZD for ≥6 months than people without MS.ConclusionUse of BZD is more common in people with MS than in general population controls, and use of these agents is in persons with MS is often chronic.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and public health measures that took place have led to concerns regarding mental health and receipt of psychotropic medications. We aimed to study the changes in psychotropic medication dispensation rates before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in the general population.Methods: Administrative health data from the Canadian province of Manitoba was used to describe the quarterly incidence and prevalence of antipsychotics, antidepressants, and anxiolytic/sedative-hypnotics from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2020. Individuals who received at least one prescription within each quarter were considered exposed to the medication. The denominator was the total population within each quarter. Incidence was defined as no receipt of medication in the 3 years prior to the quarter of interest. Autoregression models for time series data plus indicator variables were used to compare each quarter of 2020 after public health measures were implemented in March 2020 in relation to the expected trend. Analyses were stratified by age and sex.Results: There were 1,394,885 individuals in the first quarter of 2020, with a mean (SD) age of 38.9 (23.4) years, 50.3% were female, and 36.1% had a psychiatric diagnosis in the previous 5 years. A significant decrease was observed for incident antidepressant use (p < 0.05 for both sexes and all age groups except for those 65 years and older) and anxiolytic use (p < 0.05 for both sexes and all age groups except 80 years and older) in the second quarter (April-June) of 2020 compared to the expected trend. Females and those aged 40 years and older had a significantly higher incidence of antidepressant and antipsychotic use in the final quarter of 2020 compared to the expected trend (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Our findings indicate a decrease in new prescriptions for antidepressants and anxiolytics in the 3 months after COVID-19 in-person restrictions were first implemented. We then observed an increase in the new use of antidepressants and antipsychotics at the end of 2020, in females and people aged 40 years and older, with the highest rates of use in the population 80 years and older.

Abstract Background Ensuring equitable and timely access to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is challenging within Canada’s service delivery model. The current study aims to determine acceptability and effectiveness of 4-session, large, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy with Mindfulness (CBTm) classes. Methods A retrospective chart review of adult outpatients (n = 523) who attended CBTm classes from 2015 to 2016. Classes were administered in a tertiary mental health clinic in Winnipeg, Canada and averaged 24 clients per session. Primary outcomes were (a) acceptability of the classes and retention rates and (b) changes in anxiety and depressive symptoms using Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item (PHQ-9) scales. Results Clients found classes useful and > 90% expressed a desire to attend future sessions. The dropout rate was 37.5%. A mixed-effects linear regression demonstrated classes improved anxiety symptoms (GAD-7 score change per class = − 0.52 [95%CI, − 0.74 to − 0.30], P

Background: Cognitive impairment is common in multiple sclerosis (MS). Interpretation of neuropsychological tests requires the use of normative data. Traditionally, normative data have been reported for discrete categories such as age. More recently continuous norms have been developed using multivariable regression equations that account for multiple demographic factors. Regression-based norms have been developed for use in the Canadian population for tests included in the MACFIMS and BICAMS test batteries. Establishing the generalizability of these norms is essential for application in clinical and research settings.Objectives: We aimed to (i) test the performance of previously published Canadian regression-based norms in an independently collected sample of Canadian healthy controls; (ii) compare the ability of Canadian and non-Canadian regression-based norms to discriminate between healthy controls and persons with MS; and (iii) develop regression-based norms for several cognitive tests drawn from batteries commonly used in MS that incorporated race/ethnicity in addition to age, education, and sex.Methods: We included 93 adults with MS and 96 healthy adults in this study, with a replication sample of 104 (MS) and 39 (healthy adults). Participants reported their sociodemographic characteristics, and each was administered the oral Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT-II), and the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R). From the healthy control data, we developed regression-based norms incorporating race, age, education and sex. We then applied existing discrete norms and regression-based norms for the cognitive tests to the healthy controls, and generated z-scores which were compared using Spearman rank and concordance coefficients. We also used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to compare the ability of each set of norms to discriminate between participants with and without MS. Within the MS samples we compared the ability of each set of norms to discriminate between differing levels of disability and employment status using relative efficiency.Results: When we applied the published regression norms to our healthy sample, impairment classification rates often differed substantially from expectations (7%), even when the norms were derived from a Canadian (Ontario) population. Most, but not all of the Spearman correlations between z-scores based on different existing published norms for the same cognitive test exceeded 0.90. However, concordance coefficients were often lower. All of the norms for the SDMT reliably discriminated between the MS and healthy control groups. In contrast, none of the norms for the CVLT-II or BVMT-R discriminated between the MS and healthy control groups. Within the MS population, the norms varied in their ability to discriminate between disability levels or employment status; locally developed norms for the SDMT and CVLT-II had the highest relative efficiency.Conclusion: Our findings emphasize the value of local norms when interpreting the results of cognitive tests and demonstrate the need to consider and assess the performance of regression-based norms developed in other populations when applying them to local populations, even when they are from the same country. Our findings also strongly suggest that the development of regression-based norms should involve larger, more diverse samples to ensure broad generalizability.

We aimed to examine rates of breast and cervical cancer screening in women with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID), including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), multiple sclerosis (MS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) versus a matched cohort with IMID; and examine the association of psychiatric comorbidity with screening in these populations. We conducted a retrospective cohort study in Manitoba, Canada using administrative data. We identified women with IBD, MS and RA, and controls without these IMID matched on age and region. Annually, we identified individuals with any active mood/anxiety disorder. Using physician claims, we determined the proportion of each cohort who had cervical cancer screening within three-year intervals, and mammography screening within two-year intervals. We modeled the difference in the proportion of the IMID and matched cohorts who underwent mammography; and pap tests using log-binomial regression with generalized estimating equations, adjusting for sociodemographics, comorbidity and immune therapy use. We tested for additive interactions between cohort and mood/anxiety disorder status. During 2006–2016, we identified 17,230 women with IMID (4,623 with IBD, 3,399 with MS, and 9,458 with RA) and 85,349 matched controls. Having an IMID was associated with lower (-1%) use of mammography; however, this reflected a mixture of more mammography in the IBD cohort (+2.9%) and less mammography in the MS (-4.8 to -5.2%) and RA (-1.5%) cohorts. Within the IBD, MS and RA cohorts, having an active mood/anxiety disorder was associated with more mammography use than having an inactive mood/anxiety disorder. The MS and RA cohorts were less likely to undergo Pap testing than their matched cohorts. In the absence of an active mood/anxiety disorder, the IBD cohort was more likely to undergo Pap testing than its matched cohort; the opposite was true when an active mood/anxiety disorder was present. Among women with an IMID, mood/anxiety disorder influence participation in cancer screening.

Abstract Objective Researchers have developed case definitions to estimate incidence and lifetime prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders in multiple sclerosis (MS) using administrative data. For policymakers however, the prevalence of a disease requiring ongoing treatment during a given period such as annual period prevalence may be more relevant for decision-making. We tested a case definition for annual period prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders in MS using administrative data. Results Using population-based administrative (health claims) data from Manitoba, Canada we identified 1922 persons with incident MS from 1989 to 2012, and 11,392 age, sex and geographically-matched controls from the general population. As compared to controls, MS patients had an elevated annual prevalence ratio of depression (1.77; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.64, 1.91), and anxiety disorders (1.46; 95% CI 1.35, 1.58). The annual prevalence of depression in our matched cohort was similar to that observed in the 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey, although the annual prevalence of anxiety was slightly higher. Administrative data can be used to estimate the annual period prevalence of psychiatric disorders in MS.

Objectives Among people with immune-mediated inflammatory disease (IMID), including multiple sclerosis (MS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) most research has focused on mental illness rather than on mental health. We assessed dimensions of mental health among persons with IMID and compared them across IMID. We also evaluated demographic and clinical characteristics associated with flourishing mental health.Design Participants: Adults with an IMID (MS, 239; IBD, 225; RA 134; total 598) who were participating in a cohort study.Setting Tertiary care centre in Manitoba, Canada.Primary outcome measure Participants completed the Mental Health Continuum Short-Form (MHC-SF), which measures emotional, psychological and social well-being, and identifies flourishing mental health. This outcome was added midway through the study on the advice of the patient advisory group. Depression, anxiety, pain, fatigue and physical function were also assessed.Results Total MHC-SF and subscale scores were similar across IMID groups. Nearly 60% of participants were considered to have flourishing mental health, with similar proportions across disease types (MS 56.5%; IBD 58.7%; RA 59%, p=0.95). Older age was associated with a 2% increased odds of flourishing mental health per year of age (OR 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.04). Clinically meaningful elevations in anxiety (OR 0.25; 95% CI: 0.12 to 0.51) and depressive symptoms (OR 0.074; 95% CI: 0.009 to 0.61) were associated with lower odds. Higher levels of pain, anxiety and depressive symptoms were associated with lower total Mental Health Continuum scores at the 50th quantile.Conclusions Over half of people with MS, IBD and RA reported flourishing mental health, with levels similar across the disease groups. Interventions targeting symptoms of depression and anxiety, and upper limb impairments, as well as resilience training may help a higher proportion of the IMID population achieve flourishing mental health.

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic was accompanied by the accelerated uptake of virtual care, leading to a proliferation of virtual ward models as alternatives to facility-based care. Early in the pandemic, our program implemented a virtual mental health crisis ward (vWard) to provide options for individuals requiring intense psychiatric and/or crisis support but who preferred to remain in the community and were deemed safe to do so. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to identify early learnings from the vWard, which was implemented rapidly in a resource-constrained environment, to inform the future state should it be sustained beyond the pandemic. MethodsMixed methods of data collection were used to evaluate provider perspectives on the vWard, develop archetypes for individuals who are a good fit for the vWard model, and create a driver diagram. Data sources included an anonymous survey of clinical and managerial staff involved in the vWard, a service planning workshop, and program discharge forms for all individuals admitted between March 2020 and April 2021. Survey responses were coded for themes under categories of “benefits” and “challenges.” Discharge forms where the team indicated that the vWard was a good fit for an individual were examined for characteristics common to these admissions. These findings were reviewed in the service planning workshop and refined with input from the participants into patient archetypes. A driver diagram was created for the future state. ResultsSurvey respondents (N=60) represented diverse roles in crisis services and the vWard team. Ten providers took part in the service planning workshop. A total of 467 discharge forms were reviewed. The vWard was felt to be a model that worked by 39 survey respondents, one respondent felt it did not work, and the remaining participants had no response. Several benefits for the individual and the system were identified alongside challenges, including certain processes and materials related to the nature of rapid implementation during the pandemic, and others due to lack of fit for certain individuals. The model was felt to be a good fit for 67.5% of admissions. Four patient archetypes representing a good fit with the model were developed. The driver diagram connected the program aim with primary drivers of (1) reduce barriers to care; (2) improve outcomes; and (3) provide collaborative, patient- and family-centered care to secondary drivers and interventions that leveraged virtual technology among other crisis care interventions. ConclusionsDespite some challenges, the vWard demonstrated high levels of provider acceptance and a range of mechanisms by which the model works for a variety of patient archetypes. These early learnings provide a foundation for growth, sustainability, and spread of this model going forward beyond the pandemic.

ObjectiveUpdate the evidence on use of pharmacotherapy for alcohol use disorder in a Canadian population.MethodsUsing whole-population administrative data from Manitoba, Canada, we identified all residents age 12+ who were first diagnosed with alcohol use disorder between April 1, 1996 and March 31, 2015, and compared characteristics of those who filled a prescription for naltrexone, acamprosate or disulfiram at least once during that period to those who did not fill a prescription for an alcohol use disorder medication.ResultsOnly 1.3% of individuals with alcohol use disorder received pharmacotherapy (62.3% of prescriptions were for naltrexone, 39.4% for acamprosate, 7.5% for disulfiram). Most prescriptions came from family physicians in urban alcohol use disorder (53.6%) and psychiatrists (22.3%). Individuals were more likely to fill a prescription for alcohol use disorder medication if they lived in an urban vs rural environment (OR 2.25; 95% CI 1.83-2.77) or had a mood/anxiety disorder diagnosis vs no diagnosis (OR 2.40, 95% CI 1.98-2.90) in the five years before being diagnosed with alcohol use disorder.ConclusionDespite established evidence for the effectiveness of pharmacotherapy for alcohol use disorder, these medications continue to be profoundly underutilized in Canada.

Objectives: We explored differences in health and education outcomes between children living in social housing and not, and effects of social housing's neighborhood socioeconomic status., Methods: In this cohort study, we used the population-based repository of administrative data at the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy. We included children aged 0 to 19 years in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in fiscal years 2006-2007 to 2008-2009 (n = 13,238 social housing; n = 174,017 others). We examined 5 outcomes: age-2 complete immunization, a school-readiness measure, adolescent pregnancy (ages 15-19 years), grade-9 completion, and high-school completion. Logistic regression and generalized estimating equation modeling generated rates. We derived neighborhood income quintiles (Q1 lowest, Q5 highest) from average household income census data., Results: Children in social housing fared worse than comparative children within each neighborhood income quintile. When we compared children in social housing by quintile, preschool indicators (immunization and school readiness) were similar, but adolescent outcomes (grade-9 and high-school completion, adolescent pregnancy) were better in Q3 to Q5., Conclusions: Children in social housing had poorer health and education outcomes than all others, but living in social housing in wealthier areas was associated with better adolescent outcomes.