Differences in antihypertensive medication prescription profiles between 2009 and 2021: a retrospective cohort study of CARTaGENE
Researchers examined the differences in antihypertensive medication prescription profiles in the province of Quebec between 2009 and 2021. Data from the CARTaGENE population–based cohort was used. The study found that application of hypertension guidelines for the choice of antihypertensive drugs remains suboptimal, underscoring the importance of educational initiatives.
Factors associated with change in moderate or severe symptoms of anxiety and depression in community-living adults and older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic
Researchers explored changes in moderate or severe symptoms of anxiety or depression (MSSANXDEP) from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, and examined associated sociodemographic, economic, psychosocial, health behavior and lifestyle, and clinical factors. Data from 59,997 participants from the five established cohorts of the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health (CanPath) were used. Analyses indicated that certain sociodemographic, economic, lifestyle, health behavior, psychosocial, and clinical factors were associated with remitted, incident, and persistent MSSANXDEP.
The influence of smoking and occupational risk factors on DNA methylation in the AHRR and F2RL3 genes
The researchers aimed to determine the association between smoking, occupational exposures, and AHRR and F2RL3 methylation, as AHRR and F2RL3 hypomethylation has been associated with lung cancer. A case-control study was implemented with CARTaGENE participants to outline the relationship between AHRR and F2RL3 methylation and lung cancer risk. It was found that in both the AHRR and F2RL3 genes, smoking was associated with lower levels of methylation. The data indicates that smoking and occupational exposures to some agents are associated with AHRR and F2RL3 hypomethylation.
Subclinical primary aldosteronism and cardiovascular health: a population-based cohort study
This study explores the impact of subclinical primary aldosteronism, a less recognized form of hypertension characterized by renin-independent aldosterone production, on cardiovascular health. With data from 1284 CARTaGENE participants, researchers found that a higher aldosterone-to-renin ratio, indicative of this condition, was associated with increased arterial stiffness, adverse cardiac remodeling, and higher odds of developing hypertension, independent of traditional blood pressure measures.
Factors associated with mental health service use during the pandemic: Initiation and barriers
This study aimed to understand the factors associated with initiating new mental health service use (MHSU) during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as distinguishing between different reasons for not seeking mental health services. The research found that several factors influenced MHSU, such as age, living situation, income, and health professional status. The study suggests the need for awareness campaigns targeting older adults to explain the importance of seeking treatment and for sensitizing health professionals to facilitate access to mental health care for individuals at risk of social isolation and lower socioeconomic status.
Impact of successive office blood pressure measurements during a single visit on cardiovascular risk prediction: analysis of CARTaGENE
The researchers sought to assess the long-term impact of multiple office blood pressure (BP) readings and whether they improve cardiovascular risk prediction. Using data from CARTaGENE participants, they found that cardiovascular risk prediction is improved by successive office systolic BP values, especially when the first reading is discarded. These findings reinforce the necessity of using multiple office BP readings.
Provincial variation in colorectal cancer screening adherence in Canada; evidence from the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health
The researchers sought to assess regional variation in screening uptake, identify factors to non-adherence to screening, and estimate adherence to screening in those with differing risk profiles. Using national CanPath data, they found adherence suboptimal amongst Canadians and noticed variation by region.
Mental health service use and associated predisposing, enabling and need factors in community living adults and older adults across Canada
The authors utilized data from the CanPath COVID-19 health survey (May to December 2020) to conduct multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine the association between mental health service use (MHSU) and predisposing, enabling, and need factors — derived from Andersen’s model of healthcare-seeking behaviour — among five regional cohorts. Among the 45,542 adults in the study population, 6.3% of respondents reported MHSU and need factors were consistently associated with MHSU.
Evaluation of the accuracy of the PLCOm2012 6-year lung cancer risk prediction model among smokers in the CARTaGENE population-based cohort
Cette étude visait à valider un outil de prédiction du risque de cancer du poumon en utilisant les données des participants à CARTaGENE. L’outil a démontré une bonne précision dans l’identification du risque de cancer du poumon, mais a sous-estimé le nombre de cas. Cet outil pourrait nécessiter des ajustements de calibration pour la population québécoise.
Genetic analyses of DNA repair pathway associated genes implicate new candidate cancer predisposing genes in ancestrally defined ovarian cancer cases
Les chercheurs ont étudié des familles présentant des antécédents de cancer de l’ovaire qui ne pouvaient être expliqués par des facteurs de risque génétiques connus. En utilisant des témoins sains de CARTaGENE, ils ont appliqué une approche ciblée sur les gènes et ont trouvé des variantes génétiques rares dans les gènes de la voie de réparation de l’ADN, en particulier dans ERCC5, EXO1, FANCC, NEIL1 et NTHL1, dans une partie importante de ces familles.