Patients with heart failure who receive early follow-up by a physician within 7 days of emergency department discharge have lower risk of death and hospital admissions. The study found that 47% of patients were seen by a physician within a week, with the lowest death rate in those who received care within 7 days.
The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care updates its guideline to emphasize shared decision-making between women and their doctors. The new recommendations favor regular mammography screening for women aged 50-74, but only if they prefer it, due to uncertain benefits and harms.
New research finds First Nations children and youth are more likely to experience physical pain and mental health conditions, yet face barriers to accessing specialist care. The study highlights the need for targeted policies to improve healthcare access and management for this vulnerable population.
Acute flaccid myelitis is a rare but serious condition in children that can progress rapidly and result in persistent health deficits. The disease is usually caused by enteroviruses and requires urgent testing and medical attention.
A new decision tool accurately predicts short-term serious complications in COPD patients, decreasing unnecessary admissions and unsafe discharges.
High-dose opioids are widely prescribed for chronic pain, but can cause self-perpetuating therapy and withdrawal. The Canadian government should recall these formulations to regulate dangerous prescribing practices. This would help fuel the opioid crisis, particularly among patients with addiction.
Implementing a national pharmacare program in 2020 would require $9.7 billion in public funding, resulting in $13.5 billion in savings to the private sector. The authors suggest using a mix of federal revenue sources, including small increases in personal and corporate taxes.
New research published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that trazadone is associated with a comparable risk of falls and major osteoporotic fractures to atypical antipsychotics. This finding challenges the assumption that trazodone is a safer alternative for treating behavioral symptoms in seniors with dementia.
A systematic review by the Public Health Agency of Canada found that there is a negligible risk of transmitting HIV during sex when an individual has a suppressed viral load of less than 200 copies/mL. Condom use also significantly reduces transmission risk.
A collection of 17 innovative projects showcases the benefits of patient-oriented research, including improved health outcomes and enhanced care. Patient partners contributed to study design, recruitment, and data collection, highlighting the value of lived experience in research.
A decline in Canadian-based researchers winning major health research prizes has been observed over the past few decades. Funding patterns and inconsistent government funding may be contributing factors to this trend.
A large study found that people who experience major injuries requiring hospital admission are at substantially increased risk of being admitted for mental health disorders. The study also revealed a higher risk of suicide among these patients, with 70 suicides per 100,000 patients per year compared to the general population.
A recent study found that Canadians have good overall health, with a high level of health-adjusted life expectancy. The leading causes of death and disability are noncommunicable diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The study also shows an aging population, with people over 65 years outnumbering younger Canadians.
A recent study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that oral curcumin did not reduce inflammation or improve outcomes in patients undergoing elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. In fact, the study showed an increased risk of post-surgical kidney damage in patients taking curcumin.
The long-term effects of smoked cannabis on lung health are unclear due to conflicting research findings. The authors emphasize the need for well-designed studies to address pressing gaps in knowledge and resolve lingering myths.
A randomized controlled trial found that parental educational tools on pain relief during vaccinations increased use of pain interventions at future infant vaccinations, knowledge and confidence in parents' ability to manage infant pain.
If cannabis use increases after legalization, the Canadian government should alter its act to prevent negative health effects, according to an editorial. The Government of Canada must be vigilant in tracking cannabis usage and provide adequate funding for research into harms.
Researchers analyzed data from a province-wide survey of over 300,000 girls and found no correlation between HPV vaccination and increased risky sexual behaviors. The percentage of girls reporting ever having sex decreased, while the proportion engaging in intercourse before age 14 declined and condom use increased.
The updated C-CHANGE guideline offers enhanced management of cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension and high cholesterol. The new guidelines provide a single set of best practices for physicians across Canada.
A study published in CMAJ found that immigrant and refugee youth are more likely to visit emergency departments for new mental health issues, highlighting gaps in access to outpatient mental health care. The study suggests that barriers to primary care services, including language and cultural differences, contribute to this issue.
A large study in Shanghai, China found that socioeconomic development contributed to lower death rates for most diseases, likely due to lifestyle factors. Death rates from infectious diseases, maternal issues, and injuries decreased between 1974 and 2015.
A recent analysis suggests that improving health care in Canada requires expanding public funding for cost-effective treatments, investing in primary care, and embracing technology. The authors propose engaging patients to determine services and standardizing quality-improvement tools to improve healthcare quality.
A study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal found that where people live before hospitalization affects their risk of readmission. Discharged to home care were most likely to be readmitted, while those discharged to long-term care were least likely.
A Canadian study found that frequent use of household disinfectants alters the gut microbiota in infants, leading to higher body mass index scores and increased risk of childhood obesity. In contrast, eco-friendly cleaners may reduce this risk due to healthier maternal lifestyles and eating habits.
A commentary suggests using smart technology and artificial intelligence to improve the detection of sepsis in children in Canada. The authors propose automating data combinations of sepsis symptoms and other relevant information to create more accurate and low-cost trigger tools.
A large Taiwanese study found that patients with sepsis are at increased risk of cardiovascular events, including stroke and heart attack, within the first 4 weeks after hospital discharge. Younger patients with sepsis aged 20 to 45 years were particularly at higher risk.
A study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal found that patients with acute critical illness without pre-existing kidney disease are at increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease. The study also shows that these patients have a higher risk of death.
A Danish study has estimated 10-year absolute risk of dementia by age, sex and common APOE gene variation, identifying high-risk individuals who may benefit from early preventive interventions. The research found that a combination of these factors could lead to a 7-24% risk of developing dementia by age 80.
A national approach is needed for trialing cannabinoids in children due to the lack of high-quality evidence and unregulated use of products. Collaboration among academics, industry, and provincial governments is required to conduct multiple-site clinical trials with long-term follow-up.
A large study found that care coordination strategies significantly reduce symptoms of depression and improve health in seniors with multiple chronic diseases. The review included 25 studies and 12,579 older adults, highlighting the potential benefits of managing co-existing chronic illnesses in a coordinated manner.
The sudden departure of 800 medical trainees from Canada will negatively impact patient care. The Canadian government must step up funding for residency spots to avoid future shortages and ensure timely healthcare delivery.
A simple laboratory score has been developed to diagnose patients with heart attack symptoms, reducing the number of blood tests and time spent in emergency departments. The score can identify patients at risk of subsequent heart issues after discharge.
The medical profession is plagued by bullying, harassment, and discrimination, which can negatively affect health and career pathways. Implementing measures of professionalism in review processes and creating safe reporting mechanisms are crucial steps towards addressing unprofessional behavior.
A siloed funding approach hinders innovation and care integration, argue authors of a CMAJ analysis. To overcome this, funding must be integrated and providers learn to collaborate.
A study published in CMAJ found that women with intellectual and developmental disabilities have a nearly double rate of having another baby within a year of delivering. Rapid repeat pregnancies are associated with smaller babies, preterm birth, and other adverse effects.
A large study found that delaying hip fracture surgery beyond two days increases postoperative mortality. The researchers suggest adopting a 'don't let the sun set twice' policy for timely access to the operating room, which could avoid up to 16.5% of in-hospital deaths.
A large study examining media reporting of suicide found significant associations between reporting details and suicide deaths, highlighting the need for responsible reporting. The study suggests that including crisis resources among recommendations can have a positive impact on vulnerable individuals.
Patient access to primary care medical records is crucial for fully patient-centered care, but obstacles such as authorization forms, fees, and long waits hinder this ability. Mandating patient portals would address these challenges and enhance the effectiveness of universal healthcare systems.
The Cardiovascular Disease Population Risk Tool (CVDPoRT) uses a 'big data' approach to accurately predict an individual's risk of hospitalization or death from cardiovascular disease within the next five years. The calculator also provides heart age, an easy-to-understand measure of heart health.
A study of over 90,000 patients found women's heart failure mortality is higher and hospitalization rates have increased in women compared to men. The research highlights sex differences in heart failure outcomes, care delivery, and access in Ontario.
Asymptomatic bacteriuria screening in pregnancy may reduce kidney infections and low birth weight, but evidence is low-quality. Women's values and preferences play a significant role in screening decisions.
A review highlights the importance of early detection, community-based supports, and caregiver education in caring for seniors with dementia. These interventions have been shown to delay admission to long-term care facilities and reduce caregiver stress.
A recent study published in CMAJ found anticonvulsants to be ineffective for chronic low back pain and lumbar radicular pain, with a higher risk of adverse events.
A large Canadian study published in CMAJ found that trauma to both mother and baby during vaginal deliveries, especially forceps deliveries, has increased. The rate of severe perineal tearing accounted for 87% of the cases of obstetric trauma among operative vaginal deliveries.
Researchers found a significant decrease in C. difficile infections across Canada, with the most common virulent strain, NAP1, associated with severe illness and deaths. Improved infection control practices, such as frequent handwashing and better cleaning, may have contributed to this decline.
A new study found that nearly two-thirds of patients admitted to Ontario hospitals with hip fractures did not receive surgery within the recommended 24-hour window. Hospital-level improvements are necessary to address these delays, with factors such as patient transfer and preoperative consultations contributing to wait times.
A new study identifies resource availability, communication, and institutional culture as key factors to improve patient transfers from ICU to hospital wards. The research suggests standardized discharge tools, open communication, and coordinated care procedures can reduce breakdowns and errors.
A new Canadian guideline recommends screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) in people born between 1945 and 1975 due to high rates of infection. The guideline also advocates for curative therapy for all individuals affected by HCV, aiming to prevent premature death.
A study in CMAJ investigated whether HPV vaccination triggers autoimmune conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. The research analyzed data from 290,939 girls aged 12-17 who received the HPV4 vaccine between 2007 and 2013, finding no increased risk of autoimmune disorders.
A randomized controlled trial found that paramedic-run health sessions significantly reduced the number of 911 calls and improved quality of life for seniors living in subsidized housing. The program, known as CP@clinic, offered blood pressure and diabetes assessments, as well as referrals to healthcare and education.