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Nirsevimab, a monoclonal antibody with an extended half‐life, is approved for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease in all infants in Canada, the EU, Great Britain, and the USA. A population pharmacokinetics (PK) model was built to describe the PK of nirsevimab in preterm and term infants, and to evaluate the influence of covariates, including body weight and age, in infants. Nirsevimab PK was characterized by a 2‐compartment model with first‐order clearance (CL) and first‐order absorption following intramuscular (IM) administration. The typical CL in a 5 kg infant was 3.4 mL/day. Body weight and postmenstrual age were the primary covariates on CL, with minor effects for race, second RSV season, and antidrug antibody status (deemed not clinically relevant). Congenital heart disease (CHD) and chronic lung disease (CLD) did not significantly impact nirsevimab PK. The final population PK model, based on 8987 PK observations from 2683 participants across 5 clinical trials, successfully predicted PK in an additional cohort of 967 healthy infants. Weight‐banded dosing (50 mg in infants <5 kg; 100 mg in infants ≥5 kg) was predicted to be appropriate for infants ≥1 kg in their first RSV season. Together, these data support weight‐banded dosing of nirsevimab in all infants in their first RSV season, including in healthy infants, infants with CHD or CLD, and in infants born prematurely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Physiotherapy Canada is the property of University of Toronto Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In healthy adults, airway-to-lung (i.e., dysanapsis) ratio is lower and dyspnoea during exercise at a given minute ventilation (V̇E) is higher in females than in males. We investigated the relationship between dysanapsis and sex on exertional dyspnoea in healthy adults. We hypothesized that females would have a smaller airway-to-lung ratio than males and that exertional dyspnoea would be associated with airway-to-lung ratio in males and females. We analyzed data from n = 100 healthy never-smokers aged ≥40 years enrolled in the Canadian Cohort Obstructive Lung Disease (CanCOLD) study who underwent pulmonary function testing, a chest computed tomography scan, and cardiopulmonary exercise testing. The luminal area of the trachea, right main bronchus, left main bronchus, right upper lobe, bronchus intermedius, left upper lobe, and left lower lobe were 22%–37% smaller (all p < 0.001) and the airway-to-lung ratio (i.e., average large conducting airway diameter relative to total lung capacity) was lower in females than in males (0.609 ± 0.070 vs. 0.674 ± 0.082; p < 0.001). During exercise, there was a significant effect of V̇E, sex, and their interaction on dyspnoea (all p < 0.05), indicating that dyspnoea increased as a function of V̇E to a greater extent in females than in males. However, after adjusting for age and total lung capacity, there were no significant associations between airway-to-lung ratio and measures of exertional dyspnoea, regardless of sex (all r < 0.34; all p > 0.05). Our findings suggest that sex differences in airway size do not contribute to sex differences in exertional dyspnoea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is known on the subject: Supported housing approaches that include case management and increased opportunities for independence and personal autonomy for people who are living with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) have been found to help reduce hospitalizations and use of the emergency department.What is not fully clear is if these types of supported housing arrangements also influence the use of primary health care and other specialist services. What the paper adds to existing knowledge: This study uncovered that individuals experiencing SPMI who lived in supported housing used more primary health care and specialist physician services, in the year following transition to this housing arrangement. What are the implications for practice: The findings of this study suggest that supported housing arrangements for people experiencing SPMI may help in improving the personalization of health services for individual residents, including increasing access to both primary health care and specialist services.This is important for nursing practice, as the findings of the study show that supported housing arrangements for people experiencing SPMI may assist in better supporting their complex health care needs. Introduction: Supported housing for people who are living with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) has been found to help reduce hospitalizations and use of the emergency department. What is not fully clear is if these types of supported housing arrangements also influence the use of primary health care and other specialist services. Aim/Question: The aim of this study was to compare the use of health services use of individuals with SPMI, before and after transition to the new supported housing program. Method: Using health care administrative databases, a pre‐post cohort study was conducted examining the health system use of residents who transitioned from custodial to supported housing arrangements between 2017 and 2019. Results: Individuals with SPMI used more primary health care and specialist physician services after transition to the supported housing model. Discussion: The results suggest that a supported housing model may be associated with increased usage of outpatient person‐centred health services in people experiencing SPMI. Implications for Practice: The findings of this study suggest that supported housing arrangements for people experiencing SPMI may help in improving the personalization of health services for individual. This is important for nursing practice, as the findings of the study show that supported housing arrangements may assist in better supporting complex health care needs of individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Physiotherapy Canada is the property of University of Toronto Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background Understanding the burden of influenza is necessary to optimize recommendations for influenza vaccination. We describe the epidemiology of severe influenza in 50- to 64-year-old residents of metropolitan Toronto and Peel region, Canada, over 7 influenza seasons. Methods Prospective population-based surveillance for hospitalization associated with laboratory-confirmed influenza was conducted from September 2010 to August 2017. Conditions increasing risk of influenza complications were as defined by Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization. Age-specific prevalence of medical conditions was estimated using Ontario health administrative data. Population rates were estimated using Statistics Canada data. Results Over 7 seasons, 1228 hospitalizations occurred in patients aged 50–64 years: 40% due to A(H3N2), 30% A(H1N1), and 22% influenza B. The average annual hospitalization rate was 15.6, 20.9, and 33.2 per 100 000 in patients aged 50–54, 55–59, and 60–64 years, respectively; average annual mortality was 0.9/100 000. Overall, 33% of patients had received current season influenza vaccine; 963 (86%) had ≥1 underlying condition increasing influenza complication risk. The most common underlying medical conditions were chronic lung disease (38%) and diabetes mellitus (31%); 25% of patients were immunocompromised. The average annual hospitalization rate was 6.1/100 000 in those without and 41/100 000 in those with any underlying condition, and highest in those with renal disease or immunocompromise (138 and 281 per 100 000, respectively). The case fatality rate in hospitalized patients was 4.4%; median length of stay was 4 days (interquartile range, 2–8 days). Conclusions The burden of severe influenza in 50- to 64-year-olds remains significant despite our universal publicly funded vaccination program. These data may assist in improving estimates of the cost-effectiveness of new strategies to reduce this burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective  This study aimed to evaluate palivizumab (PVZ) use, trends in indications, and outcomes of respiratory illness hospitalizations (RIH) and respiratory syncytial virus hospitalizations (RSVH). Study Design  It involves a large, Canadian prospective (2005–2017) observational multicenter study of children at high risk for RSV infection. Results  A total of 25,003 infants (56.3% male) were enrolled at 32 sites; 109,579 PVZ injections were administered. Indications included: prematurity (63.3%); "miscellaneous" (17.8%); hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease (10.5%); bronchopulmonary dysplasia/chronic lung disease (8.4%). The "miscellaneous" group increased over time (4.4% in 2005–2006 to 22.5% in 2016–2017) and included: trisomy 21, airway anomalies, pulmonary disorders, cystic fibrosis, neurological impairments, immunocompromised, cardiac aged >2 years, multiple conditions, and a residual "unclassified" group. Adherence measured by expected versus actual doses plus correct interdose interval was 64.7%. A total of 2,054 RIH occurred (6.9%); 198 (9.6%) required intubation. Three hundred thirty-seven hospitalized children were RSV-positive (overall RSVH 1.6%). Risk factors for RSVH included having siblings, attending daycare, family history of atopy, smoking exposure, and crowded household. Infants with 5 risk factors were 9.0 times (95% CI or confidence interval 4.4–18.2; p  < 0.0005) more likely to have RSVH than infants without risk factors. Three adverse events occurred; none were fatal. Conclusion  Results are relevant to both clinicians and decision-makers. We confirmed the safety of PVZ. Use of PVZ increased steadily for children with miscellaneous conditions and medical complexity. Medical and social factors pose a risk for severe RIH and RSVH with accompanying burden of illness. A vaccine that protects against RSV is urgently required. Key Points Main indications were prematurity (63.3%); "miscellaneous" (17.8%); hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease (10.5%); bronchopulmonary dysplasia/chronic lung disease (8.4%). The proportion of children in the "miscellaneous" group, comprised of those with trisomy 21, airway anomalies, pulmonary disorders, cystic fibrosis, neurological impairments, immunocompromised, cardiac aged >2 years, multiple conditions, and a residual "unclassified" group, increased over time (4.4% in 2005–2006 to 22.5% in 2016–2017). Respiratory illness-related hospitalization occurred in 2,054 children (6.9%); 198 (9.6%) required intubation. Three hundred thirty-seven hospitalized children were RSV-positive (overall RSVH: 1.6%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dyspnea is associated with functional impairment and impaired quality of life. There is limited information on the potential risk factors for dyspnea in an older adult population.Objectives: Among older adults aged 45 to 85 years of age, what sociodemographic, environmental, and disease related factors are correlated with dyspnea?Design: We used cross-sectional questionnaire data collected on 28,854 participants of the Canadian Longitudinal Study of Aging (CLSA). Multinomial regression was used to assess the independent effect of individual variables adjusting for the other variables of interest.Key Results: The adjusted odds ratios for dyspnea "walking on flat surfaces" were highest for obesity (OR, 5.71; 95%CI, 4.71-6.93), lung disease (OR, 3.91; 95%CI, 3.41-4.49), and depression (OR, 3.68; 95%CI, 3.15-4.29), and were greater than 2 for lower income, and heart disease. The effect of diabetes remained significant after adjusting for sociodemographics, heart disease and BMI (OR, 1.61; 95%CI, 1.39-1.86). Those with both respiratory disease and depression had a 12.78-fold (95%CI, 10.09-16.19) increased odds of exertional dyspnea, while the corresponding OR for the combination of heart disease and depression was 18.31 (95%CI, 13.4-25.01).Conclusions: In a community sample of older adults, many correlates of dyspnea exist which have significant independent and combined effects. These factors should be considered in the clinical context where dyspnea is out of proportion to the degree of heart and lung disease. Whether or not diabetes may possibly be a risk factor for dyspnea merits further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asthma patients may have an increased risk for diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, risk factors accelerating time-to-COPD diagnosis are unclear. This study aims to estimate risk factors associated with the incidence of COPD diagnosis in asthma patients. Canada's Population Data BC (PopData BC) was used to identify asthma patients without prior COPD diagnosis between January 1, 1998, to December 31, 1999. Patients were assessed for time-to-incidence of COPD diagnosis from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2018. The study estimated the effects of several risk factors in predicting the incidence of COPD in asthma patients during the 18-year follow-up period. Patient factors such as Medication Adherence (MA) were assessed by the proportion of days covered (PDC) and the medication possession ratio (MPR). The log-logistic mixed-effects accelerated failure time model was used to estimate the adjusted failure time ratios (aFTR) and 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI) for factors predicting time-to-COPD diagnosis among asthma patients. We identified 68,211 asthma patients with a mean age of 48.2 years included in the analysis. Risk factors accelerating time-to-COPD diagnosis included: male sex (aFTR: 0.62, 95% CI:0.56–0.68), older adults (age > 40 years) [aFTR: 0.03, 95% CI: 0.02–0.04], history of tobacco smoking (aFTR: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.13–0.68), asthma exacerbations (aFTR: 0.81, 95%CI: 0.70, 0.94), frequent emergency admissions (aFTR:0.21, 95% CI: 0.17–0.25), longer hospital stay (aFTR:0.07, 95% CI: 0.06–0.09), patients with increased burden of comorbidities (aFTR:0.28, 95% CI: 0.22–0.34), obese male sex (aFTR:0.38, 95% CI: 0.15–0.99), SABA overuse (aFTR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.44–0.84), moderate (aFTR:0.23, 95% CI: 0.21–0.26), and severe asthma (aFTR:0.10, 95% CI: 0.08–0.12). After adjustment, MA ≥0.80 was significantly associated with 83% delayed time-to-COPD diagnosis [i.e. aFTR =1.83, 95%CI: 1.54–2.17 for PDC]. However, asthma severity significantly modifies the effect of MA independent of tobacco smoking history. The targeted intervention aimed to mitigate early diagnosis of COPD may prioritize enhancing medication adherence among asthma patients to prevent frequent exacerbation during follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of this study was to explore demographic and clinical characteristics of vaping-associated lung illness (VALI) cases reported in Canada from September 2019 to December 2020; compare the epidemiology of VALI cases in Canada to e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) cases in the US; and examine possible explanations for differences between the two countries. Methods: A federal/provincial/territorial task group developed a national outbreak definition, minimum dataset and case report form for identification and surveillance of VALI cases in Canada. Descriptive analysis explored the characteristics and epidemiology of reported VALI cases. Results: Of the 20 VALI cases reported, none resulted in a death. Of all cases, 5 (25%) involved youth aged 15 to 19 years, 10 (50%) adults aged 20 to 49 years and 5 (25%) aged 50 years and older. Sixty percent of patients were men. Half (50%) required breathing assistance. Three-quarters (75%) reported using nicotine-containing vaping products, and 40% reported use of cannabis-containing vaping products; of those who reported frequency of vaping, most (71%) reported vaping daily. VALI cases were reported at a lower prevalence (0.9 per million) than EVALI (8.5 per million). Demographics and vaping behaviour also differed. Conclusion: VALI cases were reported in Canada between September 2019 and December 2020; however, there was a much lower prevalence and they may have been caused by different factors from the EVALI outbreak in the US. The factors influencing VALI in Canada are complex and multifactorial. Research is needed to understand the short- and long-term health effects of nicotine and cannabis vaping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) is an end-of-life option for Canadians accounting for 2% of all deaths in Canada in 2019. Adults over 80 years old represent a significant proportion of these deaths, yet little is known about how they compare with their younger counterparts. Methods This study retrospectively reviewed our tertiary care institution's MAiD database to compare MAiD recipients <65, 65-80, and >80 years of age. Extracted data included basic demographics, illness characteristics, functional status, social living arrangements/contacts, and outcomes of MAiD assessments. Results Of 267 patients assessed for MAiD, 38.2% were over 80. Compared to the younger groups, those over 80 were more likely to be female, to live alone, and to be widowed; however, they did not self-identify as 'socially isolated'. The majority fit into the illness categories of malignancy, cardiopulmonary or neurologic diseases, but those over 80 were more likely to have other more chronic/subacute conditions leading to the MAiD request. Conclusions Older adults accessing MAiD are distinct in that they tend to be increasingly frail and without a predominant underlying diagnosis as compared with younger adults, but rather have an accumulation of losses resulting in global functional decline and subsequent loss of autonomy and independence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Predictive cancer tools focus on survival; none predict severe symptoms. Aim: To develop and validate a model that predicts the risk for having low performance status and severe symptoms in cancer patients. Design: Retrospective, population-based, predictive study Setting/Participants: We linked administrative data from cancer patients from 2008 to 2015 in Ontario, Canada. Patients were randomly selected for model derivation (60%) and validation (40%). Using the derivation cohort, we developed a multivariable logistic regression model to predict the risk of an outcome at 6 months following diagnosis and recalculated after each of four annual survivor marks. Model performance was assessed using discrimination and calibration plots. Outcomes included low performance status (i.e. 10–30 on Palliative Performance Scale), severe pain, dyspnea, well-being, and depression (i.e. 7–10 on Edmonton Symptom Assessment System). Results: We identified 255,494 cancer patients (57% female; median age of 64; common cancers were breast (24%); and lung (13%)). At diagnosis, the predicted risk of having low performance status, severe pain, well-being, dyspnea, and depression in 6-months is 1%, 3%, 6%, 13%, and 4%, respectively for the reference case (i.e. male, lung cancer, stage I, no symptoms); the corresponding discrimination for each outcome model had high AUCs of 0.807, 0.713, 0.709, 0.790, and 0.723, respectively. Generally these covariates increased the outcome risk by >10% across all models: lung disease, dementia, diabetes; radiation treatment; hospital admission; pain; depression; transitional performance status; issues with appetite; or homecare. Conclusions: The model accurately predicted changing cancer risk for low performance status and severe symptoms over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Real-life pharmacological treatment patterns of patients with interstitial lung diseases (ILD) remain elusive. Objectives: To determine how often and with what medications patients with ILD are treated in Canadian tertiary care clinics. Methods: All patients with ILD prospectively enrolled in the Canadian Registry for Pulmonary Fibrosis were included in this observational study. All first instances of medication for each patient were compiled. The time between the diagnosis of ILD and the first initiation of an ILD-related medication was compared across diagnostic categories. Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify variables associated with time-to-treatment initiation, stratified by diagnostic category. Results: Out of 2,652 patients, a total of 1,483 (56%) were treated with an ILD-related medication during the median follow up of 3.0 years (1.4-5.9), including 349/646 (54%) patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) who received an antifibrotic. Patients with IPF were treated earlier and in greater proportion than those with non-IPF ILD (P = 0.001). Male sex and lower lung function were associated with shorter time-to-treatment initiation in the full cohort. Conclusions: Overall, 56% of patients with ILD seen across seven Canadian specialized ILD clinics received pharmacological treatment over a median follow up of 3 years. Further studies are needed to assess longitudinal patterns of treatment and their influence on key outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Understanding how health outcomes differ for patients with advanced cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease living in the United States compared with Canada has health policy implications.Research Question: What are rates of lung transplant (LTx) and rates of death without LTx in the United States and Canada among individuals with FEV1 < 40% predicted?Study Design and Methods: This was a retrospective population-based cohort study, 2005 to 2016, using the US CF Foundation, United Network for Organ Sharing, and Canadian CF registries. Individuals with CF and at least two FEV1 measurements < 40% predicted within a 5-year period, age ≥ 6 years, without prior LTx were included. Multivariable competing risk regression for time to death without LTx (LTx as a competing risk) and time to LTx (death as a competing risk) was performed.Results: There were 5,899 patients (53% male) and 905 patients (54% male) with CF with FEV1 < 40% predicted living in the United States and Canada, respectively. Multivariable competing risk regression models identified an increased risk of death without LTx (hazard ratio [HR], 1.79; 95% CI, 1.52-2.1) and decreased LTx (HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.58-0.74) among individuals in the United States compared with Canada. More pronounced differences were seen in the patients in the United States with Medicaid/Medicare insurance compared with Canadians (multivariable HR for death without LTx, 2.24 [95% CI, 1.89-2.64]; multivariable HR for LTx, 0.54 [95% CI, 0.47-0.61]). Patients of nonwhite race were also disadvantaged (multivariable HR for death without LTx, 1.56 [95% CI, 1.32-1.84]; multivariable HR for LTx, 0.47 [95% CI, 0.36-0.62]).Interpretation: There are lower rates of LTx and an increased risk of death without LTx for US patients with CF with FEV1 < 40% predicted compared with Canadian patients. Findings are more striking among US patients with CF with Medicaid/Medicare health insurance, and nonwhite patients in both countries, raising concerns about underuse of LTx among vulnerable populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Respiratory Syncytial Virus is the leading cause of hospitalization for lower respiratory tract infection in young children. The only preventive intervention is an anti-Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) monoclonal antibody (palivizumab, Synagis) administered as monthly intramuscular injections during the winter. Recommendations for palivizumab use have been published by the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) and other agencies. We sought to determine if there was interjurisdictional variation in eligibility for palivizumab across provinces and territories and in comparison to CPS recommendations, as well as the nature of this variation. Methods Eligibility criteria were obtained from personnel coordinating provincial and territorial programs and from public governmental websites. Results All 13 jurisdictions provided information about their palivizumab eligibility policies. No province or territory (PT) follows CPS guidelines exactly and substantial heterogeneity exists among jurisdictions. All PT jurisdictions provide prophylaxis in the first year of life to infants with hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease or chronic lung disease on ongoing therapy for those conditions, and to premature children in remote areas. In general, PTs had more liberal policies than the CPS, offering palivizumab to a wide range of children with conditions such as cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome or to moderately premature children with risk factors. Conclusions Substantial variation in PT criteria for RSV prevention exists in Canada, and no jurisdiction follows CPS criteria exactly. Variability in subnational policy may reflect access to human or material resources, varying interpretation of evidence for efficacy, variation in epidemiology, the effect of local pressures, or advocacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frailty is prevalent in persons with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH), but factors predisposing older PWH to frailty remain uncertain. We examined factors associated with frailty and determined whether there were multiple frailty subtypes in older adults with controlled HIV infection. This was a cross-sectional outpatient study in an urban HIV clinic. Twenty-nine clinical indicators were extracted from medical records to compute a Frailty Index (FI) for 389 older (age 50+) PWH (range = 50–93; mean = 61.1, standard deviation = 7.2; 85% men) receiving HIV treatment in Calgary, Canada. We used regressions to identify factors associated with FI values. Latent class analysis was used to identify FI subtypes. Age, employment status, and duration of known HIV infection were the strongest predictors of FI (p's < 0.05). Four FI subtypes were identified. Subtype 1 (severe metabolic dysfunction+polypharmacy) had the highest mean FI (0.30). Subtype 2 (less severe metabolic dysfunction+polypharmacy) and Subtype 3 (lung and liver dysfunction+polypharmacy) had lower but equivalent mean FIs (0.20 for each). Subtype 4 (least severe metabolic dysfunction) had the lowest mean FI (0.13; p's < 0.001). Sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics differed among the subtypes. Individuals with Subtype 1 were older and more frequently unemployed/retired, whereas those with Subtype 3 were more likely to smoke, use crack/cocaine, have heavy alcohol use, and live in temporary/unstable housing. The clinical presentation of frailty in older PWH is heterogeneous. The metabolic syndrome, hepatitis C virus coinfection, cirrhosis, lung disease, and polypharmacy were associated with frailty as were unemployment/retirement, unstable housing, and substance use. Impact statement: We certify that this work is novel and adds to the previous literature by identifying clinical subtypes associated with frailty in older persons living with HIV. Metabolic syndrome, liver and lung disease, and polypharmacy are associated with frailty in older persons living with HIV, as are socioeconomic factors including employment status, unstable housing, alcohol and drug use, and interpersonal violence. This knowledge will permit tailored approaches to addressing frailty in older persons with HIV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often experience high health‐care utilization following pulmonary rehabilitation, suggesting suboptimal transitions to home. Objective: To understand the experiences of persons with COPD and health‐care professionals regarding transitions from pulmonary rehabilitation to home, including factors impacting these transitions. Design: A descriptive qualitative study. Setting and participants: Health‐care professionals working at, and persons with COPD who attended, an inpatient or outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation programme at one large, urban health‐care centre. The centre is located in Ontario, Canada. Main variable studied: Experiences of participants with care transitions between pulmonary rehabilitation and home. Semi‐structured interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analysed. Results: Ten patients and eight health‐care professionals participated. Four main themes were identified around the overall experiences with pulmonary rehabilitation and transitions to home: (a) pulmonary rehabilitation as a safe environment; (b) pulmonary rehabilitation as a highly structured environment; (c) contrasting perceptions of the role of pulmonary rehabilitation; and (d) dependency on pulmonary rehabilitation programmes. Persons with COPD and health‐care professionals identified three key factors that influenced this transition: (a) patients' social support, (b) application of self‐management strategies prior to discharge, and (c) patients' physical and mental health. Conclusion: Participants agreed that some patients with COPD experienced suboptimal transitions from pulmonary rehabilitation to home that were characterized by suboptimal self‐management. Further research is needed to develop and evaluate interventions to improve transitions. Such interventions should include strategies to elicit long‐term behaviour change to assist patients when they return into the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surveys suggest that clinicians diverge from guidelines when treating Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) pulmonary disease (PD). To determine prescribing patterns, we conducted a cohort study of adults >66 years of age in Ontario, Canada, with MAC or Mycobacterium xenopi PD during 2001-2013. Using linked laboratory and health administrative databases, we studied the first treatment episode (>60 continuous days of >1 of a macrolide, ethambutol, rifamycin, fluoroquinolone, linezolid, inhaled amikacin, or, for M. xenopi, isoniazid). Treatment was prescribed for 24% MAC and 15% of M. xenopi PD patients. Most commonly prescribed was the recommended combination of macrolide, ethambutol, and rifamycin, for 47% of MAC and 36% of M. xenopi PD patients. Among MAC PD patients, 20% received macrolide monotherapy and 33% received regimens associated with emergent macrolide resistance. Although the most commonly prescribed regimen was guidelines-recommended, many regimens prescribed for MAC PD were associated with emergent macrolide resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycobacterium xenopi pulmonary disease (Mxe-PD) is common among nontuberculous mycobacterial infections in Europe and Canada. Associations between radiological pattern and clinical features and outcomes are inadequately studied in Mxe-PD. We sought to investigate clinical characteristics and outcomes according to the dominant radiological pattern among patients with Mxe-PD. We retrospectively studied patients with Mxe-PD seen in our clinic, categorizing their predominant CT pattern as nodular bronchiectasis, fibrocavitary, or unclassifiable, and compared clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcomes between radiologic groups. Of 94 patients with Mxe-PD, CT patterns comprised nodular bronchiectasis (40/94, 42.6%), fibrocavitary (37/94, 39.4%), and unclassifiable (17/94, 18.1%). Compared with fibrocavitation, patients with nodular bronchiectasis were female dominant, less often had COPD, less often had AFB smear-positive sputum, and more frequently had co-isolation of Pseudomonas. Patients with nodular bronchiectasis were less often treated (65% versus 91.9%) and when treated, they received fewer anti-mycobacterial drugs (on average 3 versus 4). Outcomes did not differ significantly by radiological pattern. Nodular bronchiectasis was common among Mxe-PD patients in our clinic. Compared with fibrocavitary disease, patients with nodular bronchiectasis had features suggestive of milder disease and were less often treated. Among treated patients, outcomes did not differ by radiologic pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To characterize the long-term incidence of infection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with subcutaneous golimumab (GOL) in Canadian routine care, assess the effect of infections on GOL retention, and explore factors associated with infection incidence., Methods: Patients with RA enrolled in the Biologic Treatment Registry Across Canada (BioTRAC) initiating GOL treatment were included. The incidence density rates (IDRs) of total infection (TI), serious infection (SI), and nonserious infection (NSI) were calculated for the overall follow-up (90 months) and by 6-month intervals. Determinants of infection over time or within the first 6 months were explored using generalized estimating equation models and logistic regression, respectively., Results: Five hundred thirty patients were included; mean baseline age was 57.7 years and RA duration was 8.0 years. Over an average follow-up of 27.0 months, the IDR for TIs was 35.1 events per 100 person-years (PYs), the majority occurring during the first 6 months; IDRs for NSIs and SIs were 32.9 and 2.2 events per 100 PYs, respectively. No predictors were identified for infection incidence within 6 months. Comorbid pulmonary disease was associated with significantly higher odds of TIs and NSIs over time, whereas higher age and high corticosteroid (CS) dose (> 5 mg/day) predicted higher odds of SIs. Incidence of SIs, but not NSIs, was associated with significantly higher odds of GOL discontinuation., Conclusion: Long-term GOL treatment was associated with relatively low infection rates, most being nonserious and occurring during the first 6 months. Pulmonary disease, higher age, and high CS dose were identified as significant predictors of infections. SIs, but not NSIs, predicted higher odds of GOL discontinuation. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00741793)., (Copyright © 2023 by the Journal of Rheumatology.)

Objectives: Electronic cigarettes and fluid (e-cigarettes, e-fluid) are hazardous materials that when inhaled or ingested may pose significant health risks to children and adolescents. The objective of this work was to explore the spectrum of injury related to e-cigarette exposure among Canadian children and adolescents. Methods: A one-time survey was sent to all paediatricians in Canada. Information was collected on children and adolescents who presented with e-cigarette exposure (inhalation and ingestion cases) in the previous 12 months. Questions included the number of injuries and symptoms, in addition to age, sex, treatment setting, intentional e-cigarette use and how the products were accessed. Results: A total of 520 surveys were completed and returned, identifying 220 cases. Symptoms related to inhalation were present in 135 cases (43 unintentional, 92 intentional) and in 85 ingestion cases (35 unintentional, 50 intentional). For inhalation cases, most were male, aged 15 to 19 years, who sought treatment for nausea/vomiting, cough, throat irritation or acute nicotine toxicity in an outpatient clinic/office. Most inhalation cases reported e-cigarette use 2 to 3 days/week, and e-cigarettes purchases from a mall kiosk/store. For ingestion cases, most were male, aged 1 to 4 years presenting to an emergency department with nausea/vomiting, cough or respiratory irritation. Younger cases accessed e-fluid at home, older cases purchased in a mall kiosk/store. E-fluid flavours reported consumed were fruit, candy, and tobacco. Conclusions: E-cigarettes, recently introduced into the North American market are hazardous to children and adolescents. Further investigation into the risks that e-cigarettes pose and ways to reduce exposure is needed to minimize injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Treatment of congenital pulmonary airway malformations (CPAMs) is generally surgical resection; however, there is controversy regarding the optimal timing of surgical intervention, especially in asymptomatic patients.Study Design: Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric Participant Use Files from 2012 to 2015, children who underwent lung resection for CPAMs were identified. Outcomes in children who underwent lung resection during the neonatal period were compared with those who underwent resection beyond the neonatal period, but during the first year of life (non-neonates).Results: A total of 541 patients (20.7% neonates and 79.3% non-neonates) were identified. Neonates had higher rates of preoperative comorbidities and worse postoperative outcomes when compared with non-neonates (morbidity 19.6% vs 5.4%, p < 0.0001). On multivariable regression analysis, the presence of preoperative symptoms (defined as oxygen dependence or ventilatory support) was independently associated with increased morbidity (odds ratio 3.91 [range 1.6 to 9.57], p = 0.003). In a subgroup analysis of asymptomatic neonates compared with asymptomatic non-neonates, there was no difference in overall morbidity (7.4% vs 4.4%, p = 0.33).Conclusions: These data suggest that lung resection for CPAMs in the neonatal period in asymptomatic children are not associated with increased 30-day morbidity. The presence of preoperative symptoms was independently associated with increased morbidity in a multivariable regression model. More data are needed to better understand the long-term outcomes and better define the optimal timing of surgery in this patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Robotic surgery was introduced as a platform for minimally invasive lung resection in Canada in October 2011. We present the first Canadian series of robotic pulmonary resection for lung cancer.Methods: Prospective databases at 2 institutions were queried for patients who underwent robotic resection for lung cancer between October 2011 and June 2015. To examine the effect of learning curves on patient and process outcomes, data were organized into 3 temporal tertiles, stratified by surgeon.Results: A total of 167 consecutive patients were included in the study. Median age was 66 (range 27-88) years, and 46.1% (n = 77) of patients were men. The majority of patients (n = 141, 84%) underwent robotic lobectomy. Median duration of surgery was 270 (interquartile range [IQR] 233-326) minutes, and median length of stay (LOS) was 4 (IQR 3-6) days. Twelve patients (7%) were converted to thoracotomy. Total duration of surgery and console time decreased significantly (p < 0.001) across tertiles, with a steady decline until case 20, followed by a plateau effect. Across tertiles, there was no significant difference in LOS, number of lymph node stations removed, or perioperative complications.Conclusion: The results of this case series are comparable to those reported in the literature. A prospective study to examine the outcomes and cost of robotic pulmonary resection compared with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery should be done in the context of the Canadian health care system. We have presented the first consecutive case series of robotic lobectomy in Canada. Outcomes compare favourably to other series in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Physiotherapy Canada is the property of University of Toronto Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

AimThe main aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of individualized occupational therapy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Additionally, the authors wanted to explore the occupational problems experienced in daily life by individuals with COPD.MethodsA total of 52 patients were randomly assigned to the intervention group (occupational therapy) or control group (treatment as usual). The primary outcome was assessed using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), and participants were assessed at baseline and after four and 12 months.ResultsThere were no treatment effects on occupational performance or satisfaction with performance, as measured by the COPM. However, we found a significant effect in favour of the intervention group at exertion when performing an individually chosen activity, and in the activity dimension of St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire. A total of 595 occupational problems were reported, most frequently within mobility, active recreation, and household management.ConclusionsThe results show that, compared with the usual care, individualized occupational therapy did not improve occupational performance or satisfaction with performance. Small but significant changes in activity performance in favour of the intervention group were found in some of the secondary outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Children aged <2 years with chronic lung disease (CLD) have a 10-fold higher risk for respiratory syncytial virus-positive hospitalization (RSVH) compared to healthy term infants. Based on the updated position statements, we compared respiratory-related illness hospitalization (RIH) and RSVH risks in CLD children who received palivizumab during the first year (FY) versus second year (SY) of life in the Canadian Registry of Palivizumab (CARESS). Demographic data were collected at enrolment and RIH events recorded monthly from 2005 to 2015. Eight hundred forty-seven FY and 450 SY children with CLD were identified. SY children had a lower gestational age (27 versus 29 weeks) and required more days of respiratory support (64 versus 43), oxygen therapy (108 versus 55), and length of stay (118 versus 73) during the neonatal course compared to FY children; all p < 0.0005. RIH rates were 12.2 (FY) and 18.2 (SY), and RSVH rates were 2.3 (FY) and 3.9 (SY). Cox regression showed similar hazards for both RIH (hazard ratio 0.9, 95% CI 0.6-1.6, p = 0.812) and RSVH (hazard ratio 1.1, 95% CI 0.4-2.9, p = 0.920).Conclusions: SY and FY children had similar risks for RIH and RSVH. The findings imply that SY children with CLD are correctly selected for palivizumab based on neonatal illness severity and merit prophylaxis. What is Known: • Children with chronic lung disease have a 10-fold higher risk for RSV-positive hospitalization in comparison to healthy term infants and commonly receive palivizumab prophylaxis as a preventative measure against serious RSV-related lower respiratory tract infections. • The American Academy of Pediatrics [ 2 ] and the Canadian Paediatric Society [ 30 ] have recently modified their recommendations for RSV prophylaxis in children with chronic lung disease, limiting palivizumab to either those <32 weeks gestation or those in the first year of life who are oxygen dependent or require medical therapy for the treatment of their condition. What is New: • Children with chronic lung disease receiving an additional course of palivizumab in their second year of life were determined to be at similar risk for both respiratory illness-related hospitalization and RSV-positive hospitalization as palivizumab-naïve children enrolled in the first year of life in the Canadian Registry for palivizumab (CARESS). • CARESS physicians are correctly identifying high-risk children with chronic lung disease in their second year of life, whom they believe will benefit from an additional year of palivizumab prophylaxis, based on neonatal illness severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate congruence in program delivery and short-term health outcomes of a structured pulmonary rehabilitation (S-PR) program implemented at 11 Canadian rural pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) sites compared with an urban reference site., Design: Multi-center, pre- and post-intervention, comparative, observational study., Setting: Eleven rural Canadian PR sites and 1 urban reference PR site., Participants: Adults with chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) referred to PR., Intervention: Clinicians at the reference site worked with local clinicians to implement the S-PR program in rural sites. A PR survey evaluated site congruence with the S-PR components, with congruence defined as delivering program components ≥80% in alignment with the S-PR program. Participants were enrolled in 16 sessions of group education and supervised exercise, offered twice or thrice a week. Health outcomes were tracked using a quality assurance database., Outcome Measures: Main outcomes were congruence in program delivery and changes in the 6-minute walk (6MW) distance and COPD Assessment Test (CAT)., Results: A total of 555 participants (rural n=204 and reference n=351) were included in the analyses. There was congruence in exercise and group education; however, individual education varied. Following the S-PR program, 6MW distance increased, with greater changes observed at rural sites (51±67 m at rural sites vs 30±46 m at the reference site). CAT score was reduced by -2.6±5.4 points with no difference between reference and rural sites. Changes in 6MW distance and CAT scores were similar for participants at sites that were congruent vs noncongruent with the individual education component, and similar for patients with COPD, asthma, bronchiectasis, and interstitial lung disease., Conclusion: The S-PR program components can be implemented with good congruence in Canadian rural settings, resulting in similar short-term health outcomes as in an established urban site and across CRDs., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Work-related asthma (WRA) is the most common chronic occupational lung disease in the developed world. Several factors including sociodemographic status and occupation/industry increase the risks of developing WRA. In this study, we sought to identify changes in patterns and characteristics among patients with WRA over a 15-year period in an occupational lung disease clinic.Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with WRA charts at the Occupational Lung Disease Clinic of a University Hospital in Toronto, Canada. Patients were divided into two periods classified by first attendance at the clinic 2000 through 2007 and 2008 through 2015. Comparisons between the two periods included: sociodemographic characteristics, smoking status, occupations, exposures, and submitted workers' compensation claims.Results: Fewer occupational asthma cases were seen in the more recent period vs the earlier period (40 vs 74 cases), with a smaller reduction in work-exacerbated asthma cases (40 vs 58). The recent period included a significantly smaller proportion employed in the manufacturing industry and isocyanate-induced cases compared with the earlier period. An increased proportion were employed in health-care and education industries (primarily cleaners and teachers) in the recent period, consistent with a corresponding increased frequency of cleaning agents and dust exposures.Conclusions: The changes observed in work sectors in the patients with WRA in this clinic in Toronto are consistent with reductions reported in Ontario workers' compensation claims for occupational asthma and may relate to preventive measures. Cleaners and teachers should be a focus of further intervention measures for work-related asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective This study aims to assess the association of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion in a cohort of preterm infants with mortality, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and chronic lung disease (CLD) transfused at ≥ 21 days of life. Study Design and Methods This retrospective cohort study included infants born at < 30 weeks' gestation who survived ≥ 21 days, had not received any RBC transfusions before reaching 21 days of age, and were admitted to participating units in the Canadian neonatal network (2003-2009). Results Out of the 3,799 eligible infants, 3,309 infants did not receive RBC transfusion at ≥ 21 days of age, whereas 490 received transfusion at ≥ 21 days of age. Infants who did not receive RBC transfusion/s at ≥ 21 days of age had higher birth weight (p < 0.01) and higher gestational age at the time of birth (p < 0.01) as compared with those who received transfusion/s at ≥ 21 days of age. Receipt of RBC transfusion/s at ≥ 21 days of age was not associated with mortality (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.33-4.34) or severe ROP (AOR 1.02; 95% CI 0.59-1.77) but was associated with increased odds of CLD (AOR 1.78; 95% CI 1.43-2.22). Conclusion RBC transfusion/s at ≥ 21 days of age in previously transfusion-naive preterm infants was associated with increased odds of CLD but not with ROP or mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this review is to present a case-based clinical discussion on this topic.The article represents part of the proceedings of the Occupational and Environmental Lung Disease conference held by the American College of Chest Physicians at Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in 2013, and is based upon a nonsystematic review of the current literature by the author.Although the American Medical Association Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment is the mainstay for evaluating respiratory impairment, many other impairment schemata are currently available in the United States. Impairment evaluation for a case with chronic respiratory disease and a separate case with asthma is discussed.Pulmonary function tests are the cornerstone for evaluating respiratory impairment. Impairment values differ between various impairment schemata. Impairment evaluation for asthma may be particularly difficult. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IN MID-FEBRUARY 1949, WORKERS AT the Jeffrey Mine in Asbestos, Québec, voted to strike against the American-owned Johns-Manville Company. This work stoppage precipitated a provincial industry-wide strike that lasted for almost five months. The 1949 Asbestos strike has been incorporated into Québec's broader political historiography, and is generally regarded as a critical turning point in the history of labour and social relations in French-speaking Canada. Yet the environmental health aspects of the conflict in Asbestos remain largely unexamined. Showing how environmental health issues were a trigger for the strike and a sustained goal of the Asbestos workers seeking improvements in their conditions of work, this article demonstrates how central dust and disease were in the negotiations and arbitration hearings involving unionized workers and the company, both in 1949 and in the years that followed. It also accents the extent to which these environmental issues became health concerns that spread throughout the community. In looking at the Asbestos strike of 1949 through the lens of environmental concerns, fresh insight is gained about the nature of one of Canada's major labour conflicts, expanding our understanding of how health issues emerging in the workplace but extending well past it can affect the nature of everyday life and well being in a resource community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a growing economic burden worldwide. Smoking cessation is thought to be the single most effective way of reducing the economic burden of COPD. The impact of other strategies such as interventions that predict risk of disease, reduce progression of disease, or reduce exacerbations has not been systematically studied. Objectives: We estimated the economic and clinical burden of COPD over the next 25 years in Canada and the impact of three potential interventions (screening test for predisposition to COPD, new drugs to avoid progression into more severe disease stages, and predictive test for exacerbations) on COPD burden. Methods: Using a dynamic simulation model, we projected the total burden of COPD (cost, morbidity, and mortality) from 2011 to 2035 using the population of Canada as a case study. The model stratified population based on sex, age, smoking status, respiratory symptoms, and their COPD stage. The cost and quality adjusted life years (QALYs) associated with each intervention were estimated. Results: The model indicates that annual societal cost of COPD is $4.52 billion (B) Canadian dollars in 2011 and will reach $3.61B ($7.33B undiscounted) per year in 2035. Over the next 25 years, COPD will be responsible for approximately $101.4B in societal costs ($147.5B undiscounted) and 12.9 million QALYs lost (19.0 million undiscounted). Our results suggested that the best strategy to reduce the financial burden of COPD is by reducing exacerbations. Smoking cessation, while it is the cornerstone of COPD prevention, has only a modest effect in attenuating the financial burden of COPD over the next 25 years in Western countries such as Canada. Conclusion: Our data suggest that any intervention that can reduce the number of exacerbations has a substantial impact on morbidity and costs of COPD and should be considered in conjunction with the ongoing efforts to reduce smoking rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the effect of inhaled hypertonic saline in patients younger than 6 years with cystic fibrosis (CF). CF lung disease includes airway infection, inflammation, obstruction, and structural lung damage. A trial was conducted from April 2009 to October 2011 at 30 CF care centers in the United States and Canada in which participants of age 4 to 60 months were tested. Rate during the 48-week treatment period of protocol defined pulmonary exacerbations treated with oral, inhaled, or intravenous antibiotics were measured. Among infants and children younger than 6 years with cystic fibrosis, the use of inhaled hypertonic saline did not reduce the rate of pulmonary exacerbations over the course of 48 weeks of treatment.

Introduction: Mycobacterium tuberculosis Beijing strains are frequently associated with tuberculosis outbreaks and drug resistance. However, contradictory evidence and limited study generalizability make it difficult to foresee if the emergence of Beijing strains in high-income immigrant-receiving countries poses an increased public health threat. The purpose of this study was to determine if Beijing strains are associated with high risk disease presentations relative to other strains within Canada. Methods: This was a retrospective population-based study of culture-confirmed active TB cases in a major immigrantreceiving province of Canada in 1991 through 2007. Of 1,852 eligible cases, 1,826 (99%) were successfully genotyped. Demographic, clinical, and mycobacteriologic surveillance data were combined with molecular diagnostic data. The main outcome measures were site of disease, lung cavitation, sputum smear positivity, bacillary load, and first-line antituberculosis drug resistance. Results: A total of 350 (19%) patients had Beijing strains; 298 (85%) of these were born in the Western Pacific. Compared to non-Beijing strains, Beijing strains were significantly more likely to be associated with polyresistance (aOR 1.8; 95% CI 1.0- 3.3; p = 0.046) and multidrug-resistance (aOR 3.4; 1.0-11.3; p = 0.049). Conversely, Beijing strains were no more likely than non-Beijing strains to be associated with respiratory disease (aOR 1.3; 1.0-1.8; p = 0.053), high bacillary load (aOR 1.2; 0.6- 2.7), lung cavitation (aOR 1.0; 0.7-1.5), immediately life-threatening forms of tuberculosis (aOR 0.8; 0.5-1.6), and monoresistance (aOR 0.9; 0.6-1.3). In subgroup analyses, Beijing strains only had a significant association with multidrugresistant tuberculosis (aOR 6.1; 1.2-30.4), and an association of borderline significance with polyresistant tuberculosis (aOR 1.8; 1.0-3.5; p = 0.062), among individuals born in the Western Pacific. Conclusion: Other than an increased risk of polyresistant or multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, Beijing strains appear to pose no more of a public health threat than non-Beijing strains within a high-income immigrant-receiving country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which reported a large epidemic of invasive pneumococcal disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 5 in Canada that occurred during 2005-2009. The study defined cases of invasive pneumococcal disease according to the national case definition such as the isolation of S. pneumoniae from a normally sterile site. The characteristics of 1,112 patients with pneumococcal disease in northern Alberta from 2005-2009 are described. It found that the numbers of serotype 5 and other serotype isolates identified increased in western Canada during the period.

Introduction: Our goal was to compare behavioral- and information-based interventions aimed at increasing prescription of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by interdisciplinary teams during pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). Methods: Six hospital PR programs were randomly assigned to a behavioral- or information-based intervention. Both interventions provided evidence supporting IMT and its prescription details. However, the behavioral-based intervention focused on barriers and challenges to IMT prescription informed by a nationwide survey and the theory of planned behavior (TPB). It included hands-on practice and content, in part, was driven by learners' questions. In contrast, the information-based intervention delivered information in a typical didactic education session followed by a demonstration and question period. It was supplemented with evidence-based research articles. The primary outcome was the change in prescription rate of IMT for COPD patients by determining the difference during the 6 months preceding compared to the 6 months during the interventions. Results: Sixty-one health professionals and 488 COPD outpatients within 6 PR programs participated. No COPD patients were prescribed IMT at any of the sites during the 6-month preintervention phase. The behavioral-based intervention resulted in an IMT prescription rate of 10.2% to people with COPD, whereas the information-based intervention resulted in no IMT prescriptions. Discussion: A behavioral-based intervention that is based on TPB and addresses challenges identified by health professionals is more effective than a traditional lecture approach to increase health professionals' prescription of IMT for patients with COPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To develop models and a graphical tool for predicting survival to discharge without major morbidity for infants with a gestational age (GA) at birth of 22-32 weeks using infant information at birth. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Canadian Neonatal Network data for 2003- 2008 were utilised. Patients Neonates born between 22 and 32 weeks gestation admitted to neonatal intensive care units in Canada. Main outcome measure Survival to discharge without major morbidity defi ned as survival without severe neurological injury (intraventricular haemorrhage grade 3 or 4 or periventricular leukomalacia), severe retinopathy (stage 3 or higher), necrotising enterocolitis (stage 2 or 3) or chronic lung disease. Results Of the 17 148 neonates who met the eligibility criteria, 65% survived without major morbidity. Sex and GA at birth were signifi cant predictors. Birth weight (BW) had a signifi cant but non-linear effect on survival without major morbidity. Although maternal information characteristics such as steroid use, improved the prediction of survival without major morbidity, sex, GA at birth and BW for GA predicted survival without major morbidity almost as accurately (area under the curve: 0.84). The graphical tool based on the models showed how the GA and BW for GA interact, to enable prediction of outcomes especially for small and large for GA infants. Conclusion This graphical tool provides an improved and easily interpretable method to predict survival without major morbidity for very preterm infants at the time of birth. These curves are especially useful for small and large for GA infants. INSETS: What is already known on this topic;What this study adds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Previous studies suggest that obesity may be a risk factor for complications from pandemic influenza A(H1N1) infection. We aimed to examine the association between obesity and respiratory hospitalizations during seasonal influenza epidemics and to determine the extent of this association among individuals without established risk factors for serious complications due to influenza infection. Methods. We conducted a cohort study over 12 influenza seasons (1996 -1997 through 2007-2008) of 82 545 respondents to population health surveys in Ontario, Canada. We included individuals aged 18-64 years who had responded to a survey within 5 years prior to the start of an influenza season. We used logistic regression to examine the association between self-reported body mass index (BMI) and hospitalization for selected respiratory diseases (pneumonia and influenza, acute respiratory diseases, and chronic lung diseases), both in the entire cohort and stratified by chronic condition status. Results. Obese class I (BMI, 30-34.9) (odds ratio [OR], 1.45 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.03-2.05]) and obese class II or III (BMI, ⩾35) individuals (OR, 2.12 [95% CI, 1.45-3.10]) were more likely than normal weight individuals to have a respiratory hospitalization during influenza seasons. Among obese class II or III individuals, the association was present both for those without previously identified risk factors (OR, 5.10 [95% CI, 2.53-10.24]) and for those with 1 risk factor (OR, 2.11 [95% CI, 1.10-4.06]). Conclusions. Severely obese individuals with and without chronic conditions are at increased risk for respiratory hospitalizations during influenza seasons. They should be considered a priority group for preventive influenza measures, such as vaccination and treatment with antiviral medications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This systematic review aims to evaluate the available evidence from randomized clinical trials of the clinical efficacy and safety of ginseng. Systematic literature searches were performed in 13 databases up to March 2009 without language restriction. All randomized clinical trials evaluating the clinical effects or safety of the use of ginseng monopreparations (Panax ginseng or P. quinquefolium) were considered for inclusion. A total of 411 potentially relevant studies were identified and 57 randomized clinical trials were included. The main indications included glucose metabolism, physical performance, psychomotor function, sexual function, cardiac function, pulmonary disease, and cerebrovascular disease. We found strong evidence of a positive effect of ginseng on glucose metabolism, psychomotor function, and pulmonary disease, whereas evidence suggests that ginseng is not effective at enhancing physical performance. However, ginseng generally has a good safety profile and the incidence of adverse effects seems to be low. In conclusion, our review compiles the evidence on the use of ginseng, finding a strong positive potential for glucose metabolism, psychomotor function, and pulmonary disease, but not for physical performance enhancement. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

While tuberculosis (TB) in Canadian cities is increasingly affecting foreign-born persons, homeless persons remain at high risk. To assess trends in TB, we studied all homeless persons in Toronto who had a diagnosis of active TB during 1998-2007. We compared Canada-born and foreign-born homeless persons and assessed changes over time. We identified 91 homeless persons with active TB; they typically had highly contagious, advanced disease, and 19% died within 12 months of diagnosis. The proportion of homeless persons who were foreign-born increased from 24% in 1998-2002 to 39% in 2003-2007. Among foreign-born homeless persons with TB, 56% of infections were caused by strains not known to circulate among homeless persons in Toronto. Only 2% of infections were resistant to first-line TB medications. The rise in foreign-born homeless persons with TB strains likely acquired overseas suggests that the risk for drug-resistant strains entering the homeless shelter system may be escalating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations recommends that patients admitted to hospital with pneumonia receive their first dose of antibiotics within 6 hours of presenting to the emergency department (ED). Previous research in the United States indicates that rural hospitals may be better at achieving this benchmark than urban centres. This particular quality indicator has not yet been evaluated in Canada. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the target door-to-antibiotic (DTA) time of 6 hours or less could be met in a rural ED. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of pneumonia. Descriptive data for each case was collected, including demographic and timeline information. We analyzed DTA time, antibiotic type, route of administration, hospital length of stay and disposition at discharge. Results: We reviewed a total of 320 charts from Apr. 1, 2003, to Mar. 31, 2008. The final sample consisted of 143 patients (50.3% women) whose median age was 79 years. The median DTA time was 151 minutes and 81.8% of patients received their first dose of antibiotics within 6 hours. Patients received antibiotics either orally (47.6%), intravenously (47.6%) or both (4.8%). Single-agent respiratory fluoroquinolones were used 71.4% of the time. Median length of hospital stay was 4 days; most patients were discharged home (79.7%), 11 died, 11 were transferred and 7 were discharged to a nursing home. Conclusion: A DTA time of 6 hours or less is achievable in a rural ED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asthma, atopy, and related phenotypes are heterogeneous complex traits, with both genetic and environmental risk factors. Extensive research has been conducted and over hundred genes have been associated with asthma and atopy phenotypes, but many of these findings have failed to replicate in subsequent studies. To separate true associations from false positives, candidate genes need to be examined in large well-characterized samples, using standardized designs (genotyping, phenotyping and analysis). In an attempt to replicate previous associations we amalgamated the power and resources of four studies and genotyped 5,565 individuals to conduct a genetic association study of 93 previously associated candidate genes for asthma and related phenotypes using the same set of 861 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), a common genotyping platform, and relatively harmonized phenotypes. We tested for association between SNPs and the dichotomous outcomes of asthma, atopy, atopic asthma, and airway hyperresponsiveness using a general allelic likelihood ratio test. No SNP in any gene reached significance levels that survived correction for all tested SNPs, phenotypes, and genes. Even after relaxing the usual stringent multiple testing corrections by performing a gene-based analysis (one gene at a time as if no other genes were typed) and by stratifying SNPs based on their prior evidence of association, no genes gave strong evidence of replication. There was weak evidence to implicate the following: IL13, IFNGR2, EDN1, and VDR in asthma; IL18, TBXA2R, IFNGR2, and VDR in atopy; TLR9, TBXA2R, VDR, NOD2, and STAT6 in airway hyperresponsiveness; TLR10, IFNGR2, STAT6, VDR, and NPSR1 in atopic asthma. Additionally we found an excess of SNPs with small effect sizes (OR < 1.4). The low rate of replication may be due to small effect size, differences in phenotypic definition, differential environmental effects, and/or genetic heterogeneity. To aid in future replication studies of asthma genes a comprehensive database was compiled and is available to the scientific community at . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study concerning the effects of grain dust on lungs prior to dust remediation among the Canadian grain elevator workers. It says that several cross-sectional studies claims that grain workers are at higher risk of developing respiratory symptoms and reduced lung functions due to long term exposure to grain dust. It mentions that the present study aims to determine the longitudinal estimates of pulmonary decline among the grain elevator workers in Canada by analyzing the data collected from five regions of Canada. The study found out that grain dust control was effective in reducing the decline in the lung function measurements among grain workers.

The present study determined whether a pattern of functional single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was present that could predispose a Dené cohort to a suboptimal response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Compared with a Caucasian cohort, the Dené and Cree were found to maintain a significantly higher frequency of SNPs associated with low expression of vitamin D receptor (VDR), interferon (IFN)-&#x03B3 (+874), and tumor necrosis factor-α (-308) and high production of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 ( - 2518) and interleukin (IL)-6 (-174). Given the roles played by IFN-&#x03B3 and VDR in facilitating macrophage containment of M. tuberculosis and the opposing role of MCP-1 and IL-6, the observed allelic variation by ethnicity may in part contribute to the high rates of tuberculosis among the Dené. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the current practice and opinions of paediatric intensivists in Canada regarding tracheostomy in children with potentially reversible conditions which are anticipated to require prolonged mechanical ventilation. Self-administered survey among paediatric intensivists within paediatrics critical care units (PCCU) across Canada. All 16 PCCUs participated in the survey with a response rate of 81% (63 physicians). In 14 of 16 centres one to five tracheostomies were performed during 2006. Two centres did not perform any tracheostomies. The overall rate of tracheostomy is less than 1.5%. Percutaneous technique is used in 3/16 (19%) of centres. Readiness to undertake tracheostomy during the first 21 days of illness is influenced by patient diagnosis; severe traumatic brain injury 66% vs. 42% in a 2-year-old with Guillain–Barré syndrome, 48% in a 9-year-old with Guillain–Barré syndrome, and 12% in a child with isolated ARDS. In a child with ARDS 25% of respondents would never consider tracheostomy. Age does not affect timing nor keenness for tracheostomy. The majority, 81%, believe that the risks associated with the procedure do not outweigh the potential benefits. Finally, 51% believe that tracheostomy is underutilized in children. Elective tracheostomy is rarely performed among ventilated children in Canada. However, 51% of physicians believe it is underutilized. The role of elective tracheostomy and the percutaneous technique in children requires further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article cites a study involving the employment status of workers with western red cedar asthma in various areas including British Columbia, Canada and the U.S. It evaluates workers through telephone interview its status and other factors on quality of life. It illustrates the comparison of those workers exposed to red cedar with those unexposed. Although the relationship between employment and quality of life is complicated, research study confirms that complete and definitive removal from exposure of cedar is considered to be the distinguished treatment for occupational asthma.