Provincial variation in colorectal cancer screening adherence in Canada; evidence from the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health
The researchers investigated how social and medical characteristics influence adherence to breast cancer screening in Canada. They used data from five regional cohorts of the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health (CanPath): the BC Generations Project (BCGP), Alberta’s Tomorrow Project (ATP), the Ontario Health Study (OHS), Quebec’s CARTaGENE, and the Atlantic Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health Study (Atlantic PATH). They analyzed self-reported data on screening mammography among 79,986 participants aged 50-74 and 46,907 participants aged 40-49. Most participants reported undergoing screening within two years of enrollment, with rates ranging from 77.8% in OHS to 86.3% in BCGP. Factors linked to lower odds of screening included lower household income, being single or never married, current daily smoking, poor self-perceived health, no history of breastfeeding, and longer intervals since the last routine medical check-up. Among women aged 40-49 with a first-degree family history of breast cancer, screening adherence varied by region and was lower among those post-menopause or with longer intervals since medical check-ups. These findings highlight key factors for targeting underserved communities and suggest that early screening guidelines may benefit from considering regional differences and individual health characteristics.
Evaluating practical approaches for including MYOC variants alongside common variants for genetics-based risk stratification for glaucoma: Including MYOC Variants for Glaucoma Risk Stratification
The researchers investigated methods for identifying carriers of the p.Gln368Ter variant in the MYOC gene, associated with glaucoma risk, using data from the Genetics of Glaucoma (GOG), the QSkin Sun and Health Study (QSKIN), and CARTaGENE cohorts. They found that direct genotyping, with proper quality control measures, showed high accuracy and perfect concordance with sequencing data. Incorporating p.Gln368Ter status into polygenic risk scores (PRS) significantly improved risk stratification for carriers, increasing the proportion classified as high-risk in QSKIN and CARTaGENE. However, adding this variant to PRS did not enhance overall risk prediction for the general population.
RetroFun-RVS: A retrospective family-based framework for rare variant analysis incorporating functional annotations
The researchers explored how rare genetic variations contribute to complex diseases, particularly those located in noncoding regions of the genome, which are difficult to interpret. They used data from the CARTaGENE cohort as controls along with other cohort data to develop and test a new method called RetroFun-RVS. This method helps identify disease-related rare genetic variants by analyzing how they are shared among family members with the same condition.
Quality of non-surgical and non-pharmacological knee osteoarthritis care in the Maritimes
The researchers evaluated the quality of care for individuals with mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis recruited from the Atlantic PATH cohort in the Canadian Maritime provinces. Using a healthcare quality survey based on the British Columbia Osteoarthritis criteria, they found an overall pass rate of 42.9%, with only 4.3% receiving non-ambulatory function assessments compared to 85.7% for ambulatory function assessments. These findings underscore significant gaps in care for individuals with mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis in the Maritimes.
Association between frailty and bone health in early-stage chronic kidney disease: a study from the population-based CARTaGENE cohort
The researchers explored the associations between renal function, frailty, and bone outcomes using data from the CARTaGENE cohort. They conducted a retrospective study from a population-based cohort representing 1% of individuals aged 40–69 in a Canadian province, excluding those with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <30 mL/min/1.73 m². Frailty was defined using Fried's criteria, and bone density was measured using quantitative ultrasound at the calcaneus, assessing speed of sound (SOS) and broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA). Having at least one frailty criterion was associated with lower SOS and BUA scores and a higher risk of fractures. The findings indicate that frailty is linked to both lower bone mineral density and an increased fracture risk.
Gender differences in the association between adherence to healthy diet principles and adherence to cardiopreventive medication among adults from Québec (Canada)
The researchers examined gender differences in the relationship between adherence to healthy diet principles and cardiopreventive medication among 268 women and 204 men in the CARTaGENE cohort. Using the Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) and daily pharmacotherapy possession rate (DPPR) to assess healthy diet and medication adherence, respectively, they found contrasting associations. Among men, higher AHEI scores were inversely associated with DPPR, particularly in non-smokers and those on cholesterol-lowering medication only. In women, this association was positive and stronger among those with obesity or using three or more medications, highlighting gender-specific challenges in optimizing adherence to both behaviors.
Uromodulin and risk of upper urinary tract infections: A Mendelian randomization study
The researchers examined whether uromodulin, a protein produced by the kidneys, helps protect against upper urinary tract infections using data from the CARTaGENE cohort and other large datasets. They used a genetic approach called Mendelian randomization. The study included participants with measured urinary uromodulin levels and individuals with or without upper urinary tract infections. Their analysis showed that higher genetically predicted levels of urinary uromodulin were linked to a lower risk of these infections. These findings suggest that uromodulin may play a protective role in preventing upper urinary tract infections.
Covert vascular brain injury and cognitive dysfunction among Chinese adults living in Canada and China
The researchers examined how country of residence influences covert cerebrovascular disease (VBI) and cognitive dysfunction among Chinese adults living in Canada and China. The study compared Chinese adults in Canada and China. They found that people in Canada had a lower prevalence of covert VBI and cognitive dysfunction than those living in China, even though both groups shared the same ethnicity. Living in China was associated with a much higher risk of covert VBI and lower cognitive function, although the link between cognitive dysfunction and country of residence was explained by education and traditional cerebrovascular risk factors, such as blood pressure and cholesterol.
Relationships between the Planetary Health Diet Index, its food groups, and polygenic risk of obesity in the CARTaGENE cohort
The researchers investigated the relationship between adherence to the Planetary Health Diet Index (PHDI) and genetic susceptibility to obesity in 7,037 CARTaGENE participants. They found that higher PHDI adherence was negatively associated with BMI, waist circumference, and body fat percentage. Genetic susceptibility to obesity was partly mediated by red meat and whole grain intake, with some effects varying by sex and reducing after correction for multiple comparisons.
Healthcare costs associated with receipt of effective mental healthcare coverage in individuals with moderate or severe symptoms of anxiety and depression.
The researchers assessed the factors and healthcare costs associated with effective mental healthcare coverage (EMHC) for anxiety and depression using data from 720 participants in Alberta’s Tomorrow Project during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. They found that only 26.7% of participants received EMHC, defined as adequate pharmacotherapy and/or psychotherapy. Individuals reporting worsening self-rated mental health after the pandemic compared to before were less likely to receive EMHC. Lifetime diagnoses of anxiety and depression increased the likelihood of receiving EMHC. Adjusted total healthcare costs attributable to EMHC were $2601. These findings underscore unmet mental health needs during the pandemic and highlight the need for policies to ensure timely access to EMHC.