Psychosocial factors and cancer incidence (PSY-CA): Protocol for individual participant data meta-analyses
This study aims (1) to test whether psychosocial factors are associated with the incidence of any cancer; (2) to test the interaction between psychosocial factors and factors related to cancer risk with regard to the incidence of cancer; and (3) to test the mediating role of health behaviors in the relationship between psychosocial factors and the incidence of cancer.
Polygenic risk scores predict diabetes complications and their response to intensive blood pressure and glucose control
This study assessed whether cardiovascular and renal risk factors combined with the age of onset and duration of diabetes are sufficient predictors of type 2 diabetes. Of the 21,702 participants, 488 participants with type 2 diabetes originated from CanPath. The researchers developed a prediction model to help identify high-risk individuals who could benefit from therapies and treatments.
Epidemiological characteristics of the COVID-19 spring outbreak in Quebec, Canada: a population-based study
This study examined the epidemiological and socio-economic impact of the spring 2020 outbreak of COVID-19 on the Quebec population. An online survey of the participants of CARTaGENE was conducted, with 8,129 respondents. The study found some discrepancies between the symptoms associated with being tested and being positive. The results also emphasize the need for increasing the accessibility of testing for the general population.
Validation of breast cancer risk assessment tools on a French-Canadian population-based cohort
This study evaluated the use of the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool (BCRAT), International Breast Cancer Intervention Study risk evaluation tool (IBIS), Polygenic Risk Scores (PRS) and combined scores to predict the occurrence of invasive breast cancers at 5 years in a French-Canadian population.
Common variants in the CD36 gene are associated with dietary fat intake, high-fat food consumption and serum triglycerides in a cohort of Quebec adults
This study found that CD36 variants are associated with habitual fat consumption, which may play a role in subsequent associations with chronic-disease biomarkers. Associations differ by BMI status and dietary fat type.
Predictors of long-term use of prescription opioids in the community-dwelling population of adults without a cancer diagnosis: a retrospective cohort study
This study aimed to identify risk factors for and predictors of long-term use of prescription opioids in the community-dwelling population of adults without a diagnosis of cancer, to inform practice change at the point of care. It was found that limiting the initial supply to no more than 7 days and limiting doses to 90 MME/day or less are actions that could be undertaken at the point of care to prevent long-term use.
Investigating the causal role of MRE11A p.E506* in breast and ovarian cancer
This study investigated if MRE11A is a true predisposition gene for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Investigations suggested that the identified variant is not associated with an increased risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer, and suggests a lack of clinical utility of MRE11A testing in HBOC, at least in the White/Caucasian populations.
Associations between cognitive function, metabolic factors and depression: A prospective study in Quebec, Canada
The study used baseline and follow-up CARTaGENE data to assess the potential interactions between low cognitive function, metabolic risk factors and history of depression as risk factors for future depressive episodes. Participants with a comorbidity of at least one metabolic factor, history of depression and low cognitive function were found to have the highest risk of experiencing a depressive episode in middle age.
Agreement in the CARTaGENE cohort between self-reported medication use and claim data
The research team investigated the agreement of self-reported medication use in CARTaGENE baseline data with provincial health insurance records. Overall, there was a reasonable agreement between the two data sources, but important variations were found for the different drug classes.
Normal sex and age-specific parameters in a multi-ethnic population: a cardiovascular magnetic resonance study of the Canadian Alliance for Healthy Hearts and Minds cohort
Researchers sought to create a robust, reference value set for cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) parameters, and understand their relationship with age and sex in people without cardiovascular disease (CVD) history or risk factors. They were able to uncover a significant influence of sex and age on these parameters for use in clinical evaluations of CVD.