The Use of Wearable Devices in Oncology Patients: A Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the current literature on wearable technologies in oncology patients for the purpose of prognostication, treatment monitoring, and rehabilitation planning.

METHODS

A search was conducted in Medline ALL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, Emcare, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science, up until February 2022. Articles were included if they reported on consumer grade and/or non-commercial wearable devices in the setting of either prognostication, treatment monitoring or rehabilitation.

RESULTS

We found 199 studies reporting on 18 513 patients suitable for inclusion. One hundred and eleven studies used wearable device data primarily for the purposes of rehabilitation, 68 for treatment monitoring, and 20 for prognostication. The most commonly-reported brands of wearable devices were ActiGraph (71 studies; 36%), Fitbit (37 studies; 19%), Garmin (13 studies; 7%), and ActivPAL (11 studies; 6%). Daily minutes of physical activity were measured in 121 studies (61%), and daily step counts were measured in 93 studies (47%). Adherence was reported in 86 studies, and ranged from 40% to 100%; of these, 63 (74%) reported adherence in excess of 80%.

CONCLUSION

Wearable devices may provide valuable data for the purposes of treatment monitoring, prognostication, and rehabilitation. Future studies should investigate live-time monitoring of collected data, which may facilitate directed interventions.

Oxygen Saturation Targets in Infants Hospitalized With Bronchiolitis: A Multicenter Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES

To examine 2 hospital oxygen saturation target policies and clinical outcomes in infants hospitalized with bronchiolitis.

METHODS

This multicenter cohort study used data collected from a randomized clinical trial of infants aged 4 weeks to 24 months, hospitalized with bronchiolitis at children's and community hospitals from 2016 to 2019. We modeled the association between hospital oxygen saturation target policy, either 90% while awake and 88% while asleep (90%/88%) or 90% while awake and asleep (90%/90%), and clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 162 infants were enrolled at 4 hospitals using a 90%/88% oxygen saturation target and 67 infants at 2 hospitals using a 90%/90% target policy. No significant differences between the 90%/88% group and 90%/90% groups were observed for time to discharge (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61-1.14; P = .25), initiation of supplemental oxygen (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.98; 95% CI, 0.47-2.02; P = .95), time to discontinuation of supplemental oxygen (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.44-1.27; P = .28), revisits (aOR, 1.38; 95% CI, 0.52-3.71; P = .52), and parent days missed from work (aOR, 2.41; 95% CI, 0.90-6.41; P = .08). Three infants in the 90%/88% group and none in the 90%/90% group were transferred to the ICU.

CONCLUSIONS

Among infants hospitalized with bronchiolitis, clinical outcomes were similar between a hospital oxygen saturation target policy of 90% while awake and 88% while asleep compared with 90% while awake and asleep. These findings may inform the design of future trials of oxygen saturation targets in bronchiolitis hospital care.

Predictors of Readmission, for Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) - A Systematic Review

Introduction

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third-leading cause of death globally and is responsible for over 3 million deaths annually. One of the factors contributing to the significant healthcare burden for these patients is readmission. The aim of this review is to describe significant predictors and prediction scores for all-cause and COPD-related readmission among patients with COPD.

Methods

A search was conducted in Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, from database inception to June 7, 2022. Studies were included if they reported on patients at least 40 years old with COPD, readmission data within 1 year, and predictors of readmission. Study quality was assessed. Significant predictors of readmission and the degree of significance, as noted by the p-value, were extracted for each study. This review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022337035).

Results

In total, 242 articles reporting on 16,471,096 patients were included. There was a low risk of bias across the literature. Of these, 153 studies were observational, reporting on predictors; 57 studies were observational studies reporting on interventions; and 32 were randomized controlled trials of interventions. Sixty-four significant predictors for all-cause readmission and 23 for COPD-related readmission were reported across the literature. Significant predictors included 1) pre-admission patient characteristics, such as male sex, prior hospitalization, poor performance status, number and type of comorbidities, and use of long-term oxygen; 2) hospitalization details, such as length of stay, use of corticosteroids, and use of ventilatory support; 3) results of investigations, including anemia, lower FEV1, and higher eosinophil count; and 4) discharge characteristics, including use of home oxygen and discharge to long-term care or a skilled nursing facility.

Conclusion

The findings from this review may enable better predictive modeling and can be used by clinicians to better inform their clinical gestalt of readmission risk.

Prevalence of self-reported visual impairment among people in Canada with and without diabetes: findings from population-based surveys from 1994 to 2014

BACKGROUND

Diabetes, a leading cause of visual impairment, is on the rise in Canada. We assessed trends in the prevalence of visual impairment among people in Canada with and without diabetes to inform the development of strategies and policies for the management of visual impairment.

METHODS

We analyzed self-reported data from respondents aged 45 years and older in 7 cycles of nationwide surveys (National Population Health Survey and Canadian Community Health Survey) from 1994/95 to 2013/14. The age- and sex-standardized prevalence of visual impairment was calculated. We assessed comparisons by levels of education and income, using sex-standardized prevalence owing to sparse data.

RESULTS

Among people in Canada with diabetes, the age- and sex-standardized prevalence of visual impairment was 7.37% (95% confidence interval [CI] 5.31%-9.43%) in 1994/95 and 1996/97 combined, decreasing to 3.03% (95% CI 2.48%-3.57%) in 2013/14, giving a standardized prevalence ratio of 0.41 (95% CI 0.30-0.56) comparing 2013/14 with 1994/95 and 1996/97 combined. Among people in Canada without diabetes, visual impairment prevalence decreased from 3.72% (95% CI 3.31%-4.14%) in 1994/95 and 1996/97 combined to 1.69% (95% CI 1.52%-1.87%) in 2013/14, with a standardized prevalence ratio of 0.45 (95% CI 0.40-0.52). Decreased sex-standardized prevalence of visual impairment was observed among people with high and low education levels and incomes among those with and without diabetes.

INTERPRETATION

Visual impairment prevalence was roughly 2 times higher among those with versus without diabetes in all survey years; from 1994 to 2014, visual impairment prevalence decreased among those with and without diabetes irrespective of education and income levels. These results suggest effective collective efforts by clinicians, researchers, the public and government.

Venous Thromboembolism After COVID-19 Infection Among People With and Without Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases

Importance

Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) and COVID-19 are independently associated with venous thromboembolisms (VTEs).

Objective

To determine if individuals with IMIDs are at higher risk of VTE following COVID-19 infection compared with individuals without IMIDs.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Population-based matched cohort study using multiple deterministically linked health administrative databases from Ontario, Canada, and including patients testing positive for COVID-19 between January 1, 2020, and December 30, 2021, and followed up until March 31, 2022. Individuals with IMIDs (n = 28 440) who tested positive for COVID-19 were matched with up to 5 individuals without an IMID (n = 126 437) who tested positive for COVID-19. Matching was based on year of birth, sex, neighborhood income, and rural/urban residence. Data analysis was performed from August 6, 2022, to August 21, 2023.

Exposure

Diagnosis of an IMID, identified using algorithms based on diagnostic codes, procedures, and specialist visits.

Main Outcome and Measure

The main outcome was estimated age- and sex-standardized incidence of VTE. Proportional cause-specific hazard models compared the risk of VTE in people with and without IMIDs. Death was a competing risk. Models adjusted for history of VTE, 2 or more doses of a COVID-19 vaccine 14 or more days prior to COVID-19 diagnosis, and the Charlson Comorbidity Index. Routinely collected health data were used, so the hypothesis tested was formulated after data collection but prior to being granted access to data.

Results

The study included 28 440 individuals (16 741 [58.9%] female; 11 699 [41.1%] male) with an IMID diagnosed prior to first COVID-19 diagnosis, with a mean (SD) age of 52.1 (18.8) years at COVID-19 diagnosis. These individuals were matched to 126 437 controls without IMIDs. The incidence of VTE within 6 months of COVID-19 diagnosis among 28 440 individuals with an IMID was 2.64 (95% CI, 2.23-3.10) per 100 000 person-days compared with 2.18 (95% CI, 1.99-2.38) per 100 000 person-days among 126 437 matched individuals without IMIDs. The VTE risk was not statistically significantly different among those with vs without IMIDs (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.95-1.32).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this retrospective population-based cohort study of individuals with IMIDs following COVID-19, individuals with IMIDs did not have a higher risk of VTE compared with individuals without an IMID. These data provide reassurance to clinicians caring for individuals with IMIDs and COVID-19.

Sex-based differences in the association between loneliness and polypharmacy among older adults in Ontario, Canada

BACKGROUND

Emerging evidence shows loneliness is associated with polypharmacy and high-risk medications in older adults. Despite notable sex-based differences in the prevalence in each of loneliness and polypharmacy, the role of sex in the relationship between loneliness and polypharmacy is unclear. We explored the relationship between loneliness and polypharmacy in older female and male respondents and described sex-related variations in prescribed medication subclasses.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional analysis of representative data from the Canadian Community Health Survey-Healthy Aging cycle (2008/2009) linked to health administrative databases in Ontario respondents aged 66 years and older. Loneliness was measured using the Three-Item Loneliness Scale, with respondents classified as not lonely, moderately lonely, or severely lonely. Polypharmacy was defined as five or more concurrently-prescribed medications. Sex-stratified multivariable logistic regression models with survey weights were used to assess the relationship between loneliness and polypharmacy. Among those with polypharmacy, we examined the distribution of prescribed medication subclasses and potentially inappropriate medications.

RESULTS

Of the 2348 individuals included in this study, 54.6% were female respondents. The prevalence of polypharmacy was highest in those with severe loneliness both in female (no loneliness, 32.4%; moderate loneliness, 36.5%; severe loneliness, 44.1%) and male respondents (32.5%, 32.2%, and 42.5%). Severe loneliness was significantly associated with greater adjusted odds of polypharmacy in female respondents (OR = 1.59; 95% CI: 1.01-2.50) but this association was attenuated after adjustment in male respondents (OR = 1.00; 95% CI: 0.56-1.80). Among those with polypharmacy, antidepressants were more commonly prescribed in female respondents with severe loneliness (38.7% [95% CI: 27.3-50.0]) compared to those who were moderately lonely (17.7% [95% CI: 9.3-26.2]).

CONCLUSIONS

Severe loneliness was independently associated with polypharmacy in older female but not male respondents. Clinicians should consider loneliness as an important risk factor in medication reviews and deprescribing efforts to minimize medication-related harms, particularly in older women.

The 2023 Impact of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada: Access to and Models of Care

Rising compounding prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (Kaplan GG, Windsor JW. The four epidemiological stages in the global evolution of inflammatory bowel disease. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2021;18:56-66.) and pandemic-exacerbated health system resource limitations have resulted in significant variability in access to high-quality, evidence-based, person-centered specialty care for Canadians living with IBD. Individuals with IBD have identified long wait times, gaps in biopsychosocial care, treatment and travel expenses, and geographic and provider variation in IBD specialty care and knowledge as some of the key barriers to access. Care delivered within integrated models of care (IMC) has shown promise related to impact on disease-related outcomes and quality of life. However, access to these models is limited within the Canadian healthcare systems and much remains to be learned about the most appropriate IMC team composition and roles. Although eHealth technologies have been leveraged to overcome some access challenges since COVID-19, more research is needed to understand how best to integrate eHealth modalities (i.e., video or telephone visits) into routine IBD care. Many individuals with IBD are satisfied with these eHealth modalities. However, not all disease assessment and monitoring can be achieved through virtual modalities. The need for access to person-centered, objective disease monitoring strategies, inclusive of point of care intestinal ultrasound, is more pressing than ever given pandemic-exacerbated restrictions in access to endoscopy and cross-sectional imaging. Supporting learning healthcare systems for IBD and research relating to the strategic use of innovative and integrative implementation strategies for evidence-based IBD care interventions are greatly needed. Data derived from this research will be essential to appropriately allocating scarce resources aimed at improving person-centred access to cost-effective IBD care.

The 2023 Impact of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada: Epidemiology of IBD

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), consisting of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is recognized across the world, though Canada has among the highest burdens of IBD in the world. The Canadian Gastro-Intestinal Epidemiology Consortium (CanGIEC) led a six-province study that demonstrated the compounding prevalence of IBD in Canada from 400 per 100,000 in 2002 to 636 per 100,000 in 2014. The prevalence in 2023 is estimated at 825 per 100,000, meaning that over 320,000 people in Canada are living with IBD. Prevalence is forecasted to rise by 2.44% per year such that 1.1% of the population, 470,000 Canadians, will live with IBD by 2035. The overall incidence of IBD in 2023 is 30 per 100,000 person-years, indicating that over 11,000 Canadians will be newly diagnosed with IBD in 2023. Incidence is forecasted to rise by 0.58% per year up to 32.1 per 100,000 by 2035. The rising incidence of IBD is propelled by pediatric-onset IBD, which is rising by 1.23% per year from 15.6 per 100,000 in 2023 to 18.0 per 100,000 in 2035. In contrast, incidence rates among adults and seniors are relatively stable. Understanding the determinates of IBD has expanded through prospective cohort studies such as the Crohn's and Colitis Canada Genetic, Environmental, Microbial (CCC-GEM) project. Consensus recommendations towards diet, lifestyle, behavioural and environmental modifications have been proposed by international organizations with the goal of optimizing disease control and ultimately preventing the development of IBD. Despite these efforts, Canadian healthcare systems will need to prepare for the rising number of people living with IBD.

The 2023 Impact of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada: Executive Summary

The burden of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (i.e., associated direct and indirect costs, prevalence of disease, personal impact to the individual and to caregivers) continues to increase in Canada. The prevalence of IBD has increased since Crohn's and Colitis Canada's 2018 Impact of IBD report from an estimated 270,000 Canadians living with IBD in 2018 to an estimated 322,600 Canadians living with IBD today in 2023. Consequently, associated costs of IBD have also dramatically increased from an estimated $2.57 billion in 2018 to an estimated $5.38 billion in 2023; this increase is due to multiple factors including increased prevalence of disease, inflation, and additional identified factors (e.g., presenteeism, costs of childcare). Beyond the economic impact of IBD, these diseases have a significant impact on people living with the disease and their caregivers, including different presentations of disease, different commonly associated extra-intestinal manifestations or comorbid conditions, and different barriers to accessing care. In this supplementary issue, we review: Evolving trends in the epidemiology of IBD; updated estimates of indirect and direct costs (including out-of-pocket costs) associated with IBD; information specific to IBD in children, adolescents, and seniors; issues related to IBD pertaining to sex and gender; information specific to risks associated with COVID-19 and cancer related to IBD; an overview of current treatments for IBD; and evolving care models, including access to care.

The 2023 Impact of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada: Special Populations-Children and Adolescents with IBD

Rates of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Canadian children and adolescents are among the highest in the world, and the incidence is rising most rapidly in children under five years of age. These young children may have either a typical form of IBD with multi-factorial aetiology, or they may have a monogenic form. Despite the growing number of children in Canada living with this important chronic disease, there are few available medical therapies approved by Health Canada due to the omission of children from most clinical trials of newly developed biologics. As a result, off-label use of medications is common, and physicians have learned to use existing therapies more effectively. In addition, most Canadian children are treated in multidisciplinary, specialty clinics by physicians with extra training or experience in IBD, as well as specialist nurses, dietitians, mental health care providers and other allied health professionals. This specialized clinic approach has facilitated cutting edge research, led by Canadian clinicians and scientists, to understand the causes of IBD, the optimal use of therapies, and the best ways to treat children from a biopsychosocial perspective. Canadians are engaged in work to understand the monogenic causes of IBD; the interaction between genes, the environment, and the microbiome; and how to address the mental health concerns and medical needs of adolescents and young adults transitioning from paediatric to adult care.

The 2023 Impact of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada: The Influence of Sex and Gender on Canadians Living With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Sex (the physical and physiologic effects resulting from having specific combinations of sex chromosomes) and gender (sex-associated behaviours, expectations, identities, and roles) significantly affect the course of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the experience of living with IBD. Sex-influenced physiologic states, like puberty, the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and andropause/menopause may also impact and be impacted by IBD. While neither Crohn's disease nor ulcerative colitis is commonly considered sex-determined illnesses, the relative incidence of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis between males and females varies over the life cycle. In terms of gender, women tend to use healthcare resources at slightly higher rates than men and are more likely to have fragmented care. Women are more commonly prescribed opioid medications and are less likely than men to undergo colectomy. Women tend to report lower quality of life and have higher indirect costs due to higher rates of disability. Women are also more likely to take on caregiver roles for children with IBD. Women with IBD are more commonly burdened with adverse mental health concerns and having poor mental health has a more profound impact on women than men. Pregnant people with active IBD have higher rates of adverse outcomes in pregnancy, made worse in regions with poor access to IBD specialist care. The majority of individuals with IBD in Canada do not have access to a pregnancy-in-IBD specialist; access to this type of care has been shown to allay fears and increase knowledge among pregnant people with IBD.

The 2023 Impact of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada: Indirect (Individual and Societal) and Direct Out-of-Pocket Costs

People living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and their caregivers are faced with indirect and out-of-pocket costs that they would not otherwise experience. These costs impact one's ability to contribute to the economy to their fullest potential. The indirect costs of IBD in Canada are estimated to be at least $1.51 billion in 2023 and include costs associated with lost productivity resulting from a combination of missed work (absenteeism), decreased workplace productivity (presenteeism), unemployment, premature mortality, and caregiving costs. Unemployment is the largest contributor to indirect costs ($1.14 billion), followed by costs of absenteeism and presenteeism ($285 million). Caregiving costs for children with IBD are estimated to be nearly $58 million. Canadians with IBD also pay $536 million every year for care that is not covered by universal or supplemental private health insurance; this includes allied healthcare (e.g., care provided by psychologists), medication, and other supportive therapy. Combined, the indirect and out-of-pocket costs of IBD in Canada are estimated at more than $2 billion CAD in 2023. This is substantially higher than the estimate of $1.29 billion in Crohn's and Colitis Canada's 2018 Impact of IBD report with differences attributable to a combination of rising prevalence, inflation, and the addition of presenteeism and caregiving costs to the total indirect costs.

The 2023 Impact of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada: COVID-19 and IBD

The COVID-19 pandemic had a monumental impact on the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) community. At the beginning of the pandemic, knowledge on the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on IBD was lacking, especially in those with medication-suppressed immune systems. Throughout the pandemic, scientific literature exponentially expanded, resulting in clinical guidance and vaccine recommendations for individuals with IBD. Crohn's and Colitis Canada established the COVID-19 and IBD Taskforce to process and communicate rapidly transforming knowledge into guidance for individuals with IBD and their caregivers, healthcare providers, and policy makers. Recommendations at the onset of the pandemic were based on conjecture from experience of prior viruses, with a precautionary principle in mind. We now know that the risk of acquiring COVID-19 in those with IBD is the same as the general population. As with healthy populations, advanced age and comorbidities increase the risk for severe COVID-19. Individuals with IBD who are actively flaring and/or who require high doses of prednisone are susceptible to severe COVID-19 outcomes. Consequently, sustaining maintenance therapies (e.g., biologics) is recommended. A three-dose mRNA COVID-19 vaccine regimen in those with IBD produces a robust antibody response with a similar adverse event profile as the general population. Breakthrough infections following vaccine have been observed, particularly as the virus continues to evolve, which supports receiving a bivalent vaccine booster. Limited data exist on the impact of IBD and its therapies on long-term outcomes following COVID-19. Ongoing research is necessary to address new concerns manifesting in those with IBD throughout the evolving pandemic.

The 2023 Impact of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada: Treatment Landscape

The therapeutic landscape for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has changed considerably over the past two decades, owing to the development and widespread penetration of targeted therapies, including biologics and small molecules. While some conventional treatments continue to have an important role in the management of IBD, treatment of IBD is increasingly moving towards targeted therapies given their greater efficacy and safety in comparison to conventional agents. Early introduction of these therapies-particularly in persons with Crohn's disease-combining targeted therapies with traditional anti-metabolite immunomodulators and targeting objective markers of disease activity (in addition to symptoms), have been shown to improve health outcomes and will be increasingly adopted over time. The substantially increased costs associated with targeted therapies has led to a ballooning of healthcare expenditure to treat IBD over the past 15 years. The introduction of less expensive biosimilar anti-tumour necrosis factor therapies may bend this cost curve downwards, potentially allowing for more widespread access to these medications. Newer therapies targeting different inflammatory pathways and complementary and alternative therapies (including novel diets) will continue to shape the IBD treatment landscape. More precise use of a growing number of targeted therapies in the right individuals at the right time will help minimize the development of expensive and disabling complications, which has the potential to further reduce costs and improve outcomes.

The 2023 Impact of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada: Cancer and IBD

Cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Intestinal cancers may arise as a complication of IBD itself, while extra-intestinal cancers may arise due to some of the immunosuppressive therapies used to treat IBD. Colorectal cancer (CRC) and small bowel cancer risks remain elevated among persons with IBD as compared to age-and sex-matched members of the general population, and the lifetime risk of these cancers is strongly correlated to cumulative intestinal inflammatory burden. However, the cumulative risk of cancer, even among those with IBD is still low. Some studies suggest that IBD-CRC incidence has declined over the years, possibly owing to improved treatment standards and improved detection and management of early neoplastic lesions. Across studies of extra-intestinal cancers, there are generally higher incidences of melanoma, hepatobiliary cancer, and lung cancer and no higher incidences of breast cancer or prostate cancer, with equivocal risk of cervical cancer, among persons with IBD. While the relative risks of some extra-intestinal cancers are increased with treatment, the absolute risks of these cancers remain low and the decision to forego treatment in light of these risks should be carefully weighed against the increased risks of intestinal cancers and other disease-related complications with undertreated inflammatory disease. Quality improvement efforts should focus on optimized surveillance of cancers for which surveillance strategies exist (colorectal cancer, hepatobiliary cancer, cervical cancers, and skin cancers) and the development of cost-effective surveillance strategies for less common cancers associated with IBD.

The 2023 Impact of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada: Direct Health System and Medication Costs

Healthcare utilization among people living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Canada has shifted from inpatient management to outpatient management; fewer people with IBD are admitted to hospitals or undergo surgery, but outpatient visits have become more frequent. Although the frequency of emergency department (ED) visits among adults and seniors with IBD decreased, the frequency of ED visits among children with IBD increased. Additionally, there is variation in the utilization of IBD health services within and between provinces and across ethnocultural and sociodemographic groups. For example, First Nations individuals with IBD are more likely to be hospitalized than the general IBD population. South Asian children with Crohn's disease are hospitalized more often than their Caucasian peers at diagnosis, but not during follow-up. Immigrants to Canada who develop IBD have higher health services utilization, but a lower risk of surgery compared to individuals born in Canada. The total direct healthcare costs of IBD, including the cost of hospitalizations, ED visits, outpatient visits, endoscopy, cross-sectional imaging, and medications are rising rapidly. The direct health system and medication costs of IBD in Canada are estimated to be $3.33 billion in 2023, potentially ranging from $2.19 billion to $4.47 billion. This is an increase from an estimated $1.28 billion in 2018, likely due to sharp increases in the use of biologic therapy over the past two decades. In 2017, 50% of total direct healthcare costs can be attributed to biologic therapies; the proportion of total direct healthcare costs attributed to biologic therapies today is likely even greater.

The 2023 Impact of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada: Mental Health and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Psychiatric disorders are 1.5 to 2 times more prevalent in persons with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) than in the general population, with pooled prevalence estimates of 21% for clinical anxiety and 15% for depression. Rates are even higher when considering mental health symptoms, as nearly one-third of persons with IBD experience elevated anxiety symptoms and one-quarter experience depression symptoms. Rates of these symptoms were much higher during periods of disease activity, more common in women than men, and more common in Crohn's disease than ulcerative colitis. There is robust evidence of the detrimental effects of comorbid depression and anxiety on the subsequent course of IBD based on longitudinal studies tracking outcomes over time. However, psychiatric disorders and IBD have bidirectional effects, with each affecting risk of the other. Elevated mental health concerns have been consistently associated with greater healthcare utilization and costs related to IBD. There is some signal that low resilience in adolescence could be a risk factor for developing IBD and that enhancing resilience may improve mental health and intestinal disease outcomes in IBD. Psychological therapies used to treat anxiety and depression occurring in the context of IBD have been shown to significantly improve the quality of life for persons with IBD and reduce anxiety and depression. There is less evidence in regard to the impact of psychotropic medications on mental health or disease outcomes in persons with IBD. There is consensus, however, that mental health must be addressed as part of comprehensive IBD care for children and adults.

The 2023 Impact of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada: Special Populations-IBD in Seniors

Approximately one out of every 88 seniors has inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and this is expected to increase in the future. They are more likely to have left-sided disease in ulcerative colitis, and isolated colonic disease in Crohn's disease; perianal disease is less common. Other common diagnoses in the elderly must also be considered when they initially present to a healthcare provider. Treatment of the elderly is similar to younger persons with IBD, though considerations of the increased risk of infections and malignancy must be considered when using immune modulating drugs. Whether anti-TNF therapies increase the risk of infections is not definitive, though newer biologics, including vedolizumab and ustekinumab, are thought to be safer with lower risk of adverse events. Polypharmacy and frailty are other considerations in the elderly when choosing a treatment, as frailty is associated with worse outcomes. Costs for IBD-related hospitalizations are higher in the elderly compared with younger persons. When elderly persons with IBD are cared for by a gastroenterologist, their outcomes tend to be better. However, as elderly persons with IBD continue to age, they may not have access to the same care as younger people with IBD due to deficiencies in their ability to use or access technology.

Factors associated with loneliness in immigrant and Canadian-born older adults in Ontario, Canada: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

While loneliness is common in older adults, some immigrant groups are at higher risk. To inform tailored interventions, we identified factors associated with loneliness among immigrant and Canadian-born older adults living in Ontario, Canada.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 2008/09 data from the Canadian Community Health Survey (Healthy Aging Cycle) and linked health administrative data for respondents 65 years and older residing in Ontario, Canada. Loneliness was measured using the Three-Item Loneliness Scale, with individuals categorized as 'lonely' if they had an overall score of 4 or greater. For immigrant and Canadian-born older adults, we developed separate multivariable logistic regression models to assess individual, relationship and community-level factors associated with loneliness.

RESULTS

In a sample of 968 immigrant and 1703 Canadian-born older adults, we found a high prevalence of loneliness (30.8% and 34.0%, respectively). Shared correlates of loneliness included low positive social interaction and wanting to participate more in social, recreational or group activities. In older immigrants, unique correlates included: widowhood, poor health (i.e., physical, mental and social well-being), less time in Canada, and lower neighborhood-level ethnic diversity and income. Among Canadian-born older adults, unique correlates were: female sex, poor mental health, weak sense of community belonging and living alone. Older immigrant females, compared to older immigrant males, had greater prevalence (39.1% vs. 21.9%) of loneliness.

CONCLUSIONS

Although both groups had shared correlates of loneliness, community-level factors were more strongly associated with loneliness in immigrants. These findings enhance our understanding of loneliness and can inform policy and practice tailored to immigrants.

Delayed anti-VEGF injections during the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in visual acuity in patients with three common retinal diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the regular injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) in patients with various retinal diseases globally. It is unclear to what extent delayed anti-VEGF injections have worsened patients’ visual acuity. We performed a meta-analysis to assess the impact of delayed anti-VEGF injections on the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), retinal vein occlusion (RVO), and diabetic macular edema (DME). We searched four computer databases (EMBASE, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus) from inception to January 5, 2022. Data were pooled using the random-effects model. Results were reported by less than 4 months and 4 months or longer for the time period between the first injection during the pandemic and the last pre-pandemic injection. All BCVA measures were converted to the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) for analyses. Among patients who received injections 4 months or longer apart, the mean difference in BCVA was 0.10 logMAR (or 5 ETDRS letters) (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.06∼0.14) for nAMD patients, 0.01 logMAR (or∼ 1 ETDRS letter) (95% CI -0.25∼0.27) for RVO patients, and 0.03 logMAR (or ∼1 ETDRS letters) (95% CI -0.06∼0.11) for DME patients. These results suggest that patients with nAMD needing scheduled anti-VEGF injections may require priority treatment over those with RVO and DME in the event of disturbed anti-VEGF injections from COVID-19 lockdowns or similar scenarios.

Examining the prevalence and correlates of multimorbidity among community-dwelling older adults: cross-sectional evidence from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) first-follow-up data

INTRODUCTION

multimorbidity has become an increasingly important issue for many populations around the world, including Canada. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of multimorbidity at first follow-up and to identify factors associated with multimorbidity using data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA).

METHODS

this study included 27,701 community-dwelling participants in the first follow-up of the CLSA. Multimorbidity was operationalised using two definitions (Public Health and Primary Care), as well as the cut-points of two or more chronic conditions (MM2+) and three or more chronic conditions (MM3+). The prevalence of multimorbidity was calculated at first follow-up and multivariable regression models were used to identify correlates of multimorbidity occurrence.

RESULTS

the prevalence of multimorbidity at first follow-up was 32.3% among males and 39.3% among females when using the MM2+ Public Health definition, whereas the prevalence was 67.2% among males and 75.8% among females when using the MM2+ Primary Care definition. Older age, lower alcohol consumption, lower physical activity levels, dissatisfaction with sleep quality, dissatisfaction with life and experiencing social limitations due to health conditions were significantly associated with increased odds of multimorbidity for both males and females, regardless of the definition of multimorbidity used.

CONCLUSION

various sociodemographic, behavioural and psychosocial factors are associated with multimorbidity. Future research should continue to examine how the prevalence of multimorbidity changes with time and how these changes may be related to specific risk factors. This future research should be supplemented with studies examining the longitudinal impacts of multimorbidity over time.

Prevalence of diabetic macular edema based on optical coherence tomography in people with diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a leading cause of vision loss among people with diabetes. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) allows for accurate assessment and early detection of DME. Meta-analyses on DME prevalence diagnosed with OCT are lacking. We performed a meta-analysis to assess the global prevalence of OCT-diagnosed DME. We searched five electronic databases (EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus, and MEDLINE) on May 29, 2020 and updated the search on March 19 and June 22, 2021. The quality of retrieved studies was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute Checklist for Prevalence Studies. A random-effects model was used to pool prevalence estimates. Countries were classified into low-to-middle-income and high-income countries using World Bank data for subgroup analyses. Seven studies were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of DME was 5.47% (95% CI: 3.66%-7.62%) overall, 5.81% (95% CI: 0.07%-18.51%) in low-to-middle-income countries and 5.14% (95% CI: 3.44%-7.15%) in high-income countries. We reported approximately 5.5% of people with diabetes have DME, with a statistically non-significantly lower prevalence in high-income countries versus low-to-middle-income countries. Given the global pandemic of diabetes, there is a need to inform physicians and educate people with diabetes regarding early detection and treatment of DME using OCT.