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Spatio-temporal distribution of hypothyroidism in Quebec
- View Abstract
Fabien Gagnon, Marie-France Langlois, Isabelle Michaud, Suzanne
Gingras, Jean-François Duchesne and Benoît
Lévesque
The epidemiology of self-reported fibromyalgia in Canada
- View Abstract
J
Dayre McNally, Doug A Matheson and Volodko S Bakowsky
A population-based analysis of health behaviours,
chronic diseases and associated costs - View Abstract
Arto Ohinmaa, Donald
Schopflocher, Philip Jacobs, Sandor Demeter, Anderson Chuck, Kamran
Golmohammadi and Scott W Klarenbach
Multiple exposures to smoking, alcohol, physical
inactivity and overweight: Prevalences according to the Canadian
Community Health Survey Cycle 1.1 -
View Abstract
Julia E
Klein-Geltink, Bernard CK Choi and Richard N Fry
Chronic Diseases in Canada (CDIC) is a quarterly scientific journal focussing on current evidence relevant to the control and prevention of chronic (i.e. non-communicable) diseases and injuries in Canada. Since 1980 the journal has published a unique blend of peer-reviewed feature articles by authors from the public and private sectors and which may include research fromsuch fields as epidemiology, public/community health, biostatistics, the behavioural sciences, and health services or economics. Only feature articles are peer reviewed. Authors retain responsibility for the content of their articles; the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the CDIC editorial committee nor of the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Authors: Fabien Gagnon, Marie-France Langlois, Isabelle Michaud, Suzanne Gingras, Jean-François Duchesne and Benoît Lévesque
Abstract:
This study estimates the incidence
and prevalence of hypothyroidism in Quebec, based on a data bank
produced by the Régie de l'assurance maladie du
Québec (RAMQ) on the use of thyroid hormones by persons
insured under RAMQ's public drug insurance plan between 1992
and 2001. In 2001, the prevalence of thyroid hormone use in women
and men respectively was 10.8 and 2.9 percent. Prevalence increases
with age, reaching, among those aged 65 and over, 21.9 percent in
women and 8.0 percent inmen in 2001. Incidence is highest in women
between the ages of 45 and 64 and in men aged 65 and over.
Age-related incidence is relatively stable in women but tends to
increase in men. On a regional and local basis (by Centre local de
services communautaires [CLSC]), incidence rates up to 2.4 times
higher than anticipated on the basis of provincial incidence rates
were observed.
Authors: J Dayre McNally, Doug A Matheson and Volodko S Bakowsky
Abstract:
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a poorly
understood condition characterized by chronic diffuse
musculoskeletal pain. This study describes the self-reported
epidemiology of FM in Canada using data collected from the Canadian
Community Health Survey, Cycle 1.1 (2000). FM prevalence rates with
corresponding 95 percent confidence intervals were calculated. The
Canadian prevalence rate was 1.1 percent with a female-to-male
ratio of six to one. In women, rates increased with age up to 65
years, declining thereafter. Data collected on-ageat- diagnosis is
presented and demonstrates a surprising number of newly diagnosed
FMcases among people in their 20s and 30s, signifying that FM is a
problem for people of all ages. The association with FM and a
number of sub-populations was also investigated. With respect to
geography and environment, the FM prevalence rate in women was
shown to be approximately two percent in all Canadian regions
except Quebec, where it was 1.1 percent. Further analysis by
language suggested that geographical and cultural differences might
best explain this observation. Finally, an association with a
number of behavioral and socioeconomic determinants of health,
including weight, is presented.
Authors: Arto Ohinmaa, Donald Schopflocher, Philip Jacobs, Sandor Demeter, Anderson Chuck, Kamran Golmohammadi and Scott W Klarenbach
Abstract:
Health behaviours influence the
future incidence of certain common chronic diseases and thus have
an impact on health status and utilization of health care services
and costs.We analyzed person-level data of the Albertan adult
population from the Canadian Community Health Survey, Cycle 1.1
(2000) to determine health care costs associated with specific
health behaviours (smoking, sub-optimal diet, physical inactivity)
and chronic disease states (heart disease, diabetes, COPD). We
found that 74.7 percent of the population exhibited one ormore risk
behaviours, while 10.5 percent had one or more of the chronic
diseases of interest. Greater health care utilization and costs
were noted in groups exhibiting risk behaviour and chronic disease
states. Approximately 31 percent of health care costs in Alberta
were attributable to people having one or more of the three chronic
diseases. Our findings of higher health care costs incurred by
those exhibiting unhealthy behaviour prior to development of
disease, as well as by those with multiple co-existent diseases,
are important indicators to guide future prevention and treatment
strategies of chronic illness.
Authors: Julia E Klein-Geltink, Bernard CK Choi and Richard N Fry
Abstract: The objective of this study was to calculate the prevalence of multiple exposures to four modifiable risk factors (smoking, alcohol, physical inactivity and overweight) and to establish whether there are more Canadians with multiple risk factor exposures than those with singular ones. Weighted estimates of the prevalence of mutually exclusive risk factor clusters were calculated according to the Canadian Community Health Survey, Cycle 1.1 (2000). Confidence limits were estimated by bootstrap techniques. Findings indicate that 21.0 percent of Canadians have no risk factor exposures, 53.5 percent are physically inactive, 21.5 percent currently smoke, 44.8 percent are overweight, and 6.0 percent are high-risk drinkers. Compared to females, males are less physically inactive but more likely to smoke, have high alcohol intake and be overweight, across all age groups. At least one risk factor was present in 79.0 percent of Canadians and 39.0 percent have at least two coexistent exposures. The distribution of risk factor prevalences differed significantly by age, most peaking among those between age 35 and 64, with the exception of physical inactivity. Those who smoke and are physically inactive account for the highest proportion of the population with two or more coexistent risk factors. Canadians who are free of the four risk factors for chronic disease examined in this paper constitute the minority. Future studies are recommended to examine other risk factors, as well as interactions of multiple exposures in association with chronic disease.