Chronic Diseases in Canada
Volume 27, No. 1, 2006
Titles of Feature Articles |  |
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Spatio-temporal distribution of hypothyroidism in Quebec
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View Abstract
Fabien Gagnon, Marie-France Langlois, Isabelle Michaud, Suzanne Gingras, Jean-François Duchesne and
Benoît Lévesque
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The epidemiology of self-reported fibromyalgia in Canada - View
Abstract
J Dayre McNally, Doug A Matheson and Volodko S Bakowsky
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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.
Abstracts from Feature Articles in Chronic Diseases in Canada Volume
27, No 1, 2006
Article 1: Spatio-temporal distribution of hypothyroidism in Quebec
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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.

Article 2: The epidemiology of self-reported fibromyalgia in Canada |
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.

Article 3: A population-based analysis of health behaviours, chronic diseases and associated costs |
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.

Article 4: Multiple exposures to smoking, alcohol, physical inactivity and overweight: Prevalences according to the Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle 1.1
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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.
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