Jessica M. Round’s research while affiliated with University of Alberta and other places

Background: An infectious syphilis outbreak in Alberta has resulted in increased congenital syphilis (CS) cases. To shed light on potential risk factors, we used administrative datasets to examine care milestones for the prevention of CS among pregnant women diagnosed with syphilis, as well as correlates of women giving birth to infants with CS. Methods: Provincial administrative databases were used to identify and describe pregnant women diagnosed with any stage of infectious or non-infectious syphilis who gave birth in Alberta between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2019. Data on prenatal care, syphilis screening, and syphilis medication dispensation were used to evaluate the care milestones. Clinical care and maternal demographics were assessed using logistic and linear regression analyses to determine correlates for missed care milestones or a newborn outcome of CS. Results: Of 182 syphilis infected pregnant women, 63 (34.6%) delivered a newborn with CS. Overall, in the first trimester, 136 (75.1%) women had a health care visit, 72 (39.6%) had a prenatal care visit, 71 (39.0%) were screened for syphilis and 44 (24.2%) were treated. Gestational time to treatment initiation (AOR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02-1.06) and older maternal age at diagnosis (AOR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.08-1.50) were independently associated with CS outcomes. No variables were found to be independently associated with a healthcare visit, prenatal screening, or initiation of treatment. Conclusions: Although nearly two-thirds of CS cases were prevented, there remained missed opportunities in the prevention of CS. Early treatment, which relies on timely access to prenatal care and screening, was the most important for the prevention of CS.

Objectives Despite increasing rates of legalization of medical cannabis worldwide, the current evidence available on its effect on mental health outcomes including anxiety is of mixed results. This study assesses the effect of medical cannabis on generalized anxiety disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scores in adult patients between 2014 and 2019 in Ontario and Alberta, Canada. Methods An observational cohort study of adults authorized to use medical cannabis. The GAD-7 was administered at the time of the first visit to the clinic and subsequently over the follow-up time period of up to 3.2 years. Overall changes in GAD-7 scores were computed (mean change) and categorized as: no change (<1 point); improvement; or worsening—over time. Results A total of 37,303 patients had initial GAD-7 scores recorded and 5,075 (13.6%) patients had subsequent GAD-7 follow-up scores. The average age was 54.2 years (SD 15.7 years), 46.0% were male, and 45.6% noted anxiety symptoms at the baseline. Average GAD-7 scores were 9.11 (SD 6.6) at the baseline and after an average of 282 days of follow-up (SD 264) the average final GAD-7 score recorded was 9.04 (SD 6.6): mean change −0.23 (95% CI, −0.28 to −0.17, t[5,074]: −8.19, p-value <0.001). A total of 4,607 patients (90.8%) had no change in GAD-7 score from their initial to final follow-up, 188 (3.7%) had a clinically significant decrease, and 64 (1.3%) noted a clinically significant increase in their GAD-7 scores. Conclusions Overall, there was a statistically significant decrease in GAD-7 scores over time (in particular, in the 6–12-month period). However, this change did not meet the threshold to be considered clinically significant. Thus, we did not detect clinical improvements or detriment in GAD-7 scores in medically authorized cannabis patients. However, future well-controlled clinical trials are needed to fully examine risks or benefits associated with using medical cannabis to treat anxiety conditions.

Background With legal access to medical cannabis in Canada since 2001, there is a need to fully characterize its use at both the individual and population levels. We draw on data from Canada’s largest cohort study of medical cannabis to identify the primary reasons for medical cannabis authorization in Canada from 2014 to 2019 in two major provinces: Alberta (AB) and Ontario (ON), and review the extent that evidence supports each indication. Methods Self-reported baseline assessments were collected from adult patients in ON ( n = 61,835) and AB ( n = 3410) who were authorized medical cannabis. At baseline, sociodemographic, primary medical information, and validated clinical questionnaires were completed by patients as part of an individual assessment. Patients’ reasons for seeking medical cannabis were compared to published reviews and guidelines to assess the level of evidence supporting medical cannabis use for each condition. Results Medical cannabis use in both AB and ON was similar in both demographic and reason for authorization. The most common reasons for medical cannabis authorization were: (1) pain (AB = 77%, ON = 76%) primarily due to chronic musculoskeletal, arthritic, and neuropathic pain, (2) mental health concerns (AB = 32.9%, ON = 38.7%) due to anxiety and depression, and (3) sleep problems (AB = 28%, ON = 25%). More than 50 other conditions were identified as reasons for obtaining authorization. Conclusion In both AB and ON, the majority of reasons for medical cannabis authorization are not substantiated by clinical evidence to fully support its efficacy for long-term use. Ongoing epidemiological studies on medical cannabis on these treatments are warranted to fully outline its treatment benefits or risks.

Background With legal access to medical cannabis in Canada since 2001, there is a need to fully characterize its use at both the individual and population-level. We draw on data from Canada’s largest cohort study of medical cannabis to identify the primary reasons for medical cannabis authorization in Canada from 2014–2019 in two major Provinces: Alberta (AB) and Ontario (ON); and review the extent that evidence supports each indication. Methods Self-reported outcomes were collected from adult patients in ON (n = 61835) and AB (n = 3410) who were authorized medical cannabis. At baseline, sociodemographic, primary medical information, and validated clinical questionnaires were completed by patients as part of an individual assessment. Patients’ reasons for seeking medical cannabis were compared to published reviews and guidelines to assess the level of evidence supporting medical cannabis use for each condition. Results Medical cannabis use in both AB and ON were similar in both demographic and reason for authorization. The most common reasons for medical cannabis authorization were: 1) pain (AB = 77%, ON = 76%) primarily due to chronic musculoskeletal, arthritic, and neuropathic pain, 2) mental health concerns (AB = 32.9%, ON = 38,7%) due to anxiety and depression, and 3) sleep problems (AB = 28%, ON = 25%). More than 50 other conditions were identified as reasons for obtaining authorization. Conclusion In both AB and ON, the majority of reasons for medical cannabis authorization are not substantiated by evidence to fully support its efficacy for long-term use. Ongoing epidemiological studies on medical cannabis on these treatments are warranted to fully outline its treatment benefits or risks.

Background The Northern Alberta HIV Program (NAHP) provides care and support for about 2500 HIV positive individuals. Part of the program includes screening and therapy for co-morbidities such as hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This study aims to assess the occurrence of HCV co-infection among these patients, determine whether they had received treatment for HCV, and identify patients who are currently viremic so they can be linked to care. Methods NAHP patients from 2010 to 2019 were linked to their HCV antibody, RNA, and genotyping laboratory testing data from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2019 as well as HCV medication dispensation data. Each patient’s current and previous state of HCV infection and treatment status was assessed. Chart reviews were conducted for patients presently HCV viremic to assess their HIV care and social determinants. Results Of the 2417 NAHP patients, 392 (16.2%) were identified as having been co-infected with HCV at some point between January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2019 and meeting the inclusion criteria. Overall, 198 (50.5%) of the HIV-HCV co-infected patients had received HCV treatment and 232 (59.2%) were no longer viremic at their most recent HCV RNA test. 99 (69.2%) of the 143 HCV viremic patients had a suppressed HIV infection suggesting they are active in their HIV care and good candidates for HCV treatment. Figure 1. 2417 patients in the Northern Alberta HIV Program were evaluated for the presence of an HIV- HCV co-infection. 404 patients were identified as having been HIV-HCV co-infected at some point between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2019. Figure 2. 404 HIV-HCV co-infected patients from the Northern Alberta HIV Program were assessed for the occurrence of treatment as well as the current status of their HCV infection. 143 patients were found to currently have an active HIV-HCV co-infection. Table 2. Characteristics of HIV-HCV co-infected patients from the NAHP with an active HCV infection (n=143) Conclusion The NAHP has been successful in identifying and treating many of their HIV HCV co-infected patients, however, there remain patients with viremic HCV. Despite the availability of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in Alberta and many of these patients being successfully treated for HIV, a significant proportion of co-infected patients have not initiated HCV treatment The HIV treating physicians of these individuals will be notified and encouraged to assist in getting them linked to HCV care and treatment. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Introduction With the availability of direct-acting antivirals, Hepatitis C (HCV) is now considered a treatable disease. Patients who are co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and HCV represent an ideal patient population to treat for HCV, as (1) patients are routinely taking medication for HIV, and therefore would be able to complete HCV drug regimens, and (2) HIV infection has been shown to increase HCV disease progression. Objective We sought to determine the occurrence of HCV co-infection among HIV patients in our provincial cohort, determine whether they received treatment for HCV, and identify currently viremic patients who can be linked to care. Materials and methods HCV laboratory testing data (HCV antibody, and HCV RNA) and HCV medication dispensation data was collected for all HIV positive patients. Current and previous HCV infection and treatment was assessed. Chart reviews were conducted for HCV viremic patients to assess their HIV care and social determinants. Results Of the 2417 HIV positive patients, 392 (16.2%) were identified as being co-infected with HCV. 198 (50.5%) of the HIV-HCV co-infected patients received HCV treatment and 232 (59.2%) were not viremic on the most recent HCV RNA test. 99 (69.2%) had a suppressed HIV infection suggesting they are active in their HIV care and good candidates for HCV treatment. Conclusion Despite the availability of direct-acting antivirals, many patients who are co-infected with HIV and HCV are not being treated for HCV. Routine surveillance of HIV-HCV co-infected patients could improve HCV treatment rates in a high-risk population.

Background: Legal access to medical cannabis is increasing world-wide. Despite this, there is a lack of evidence surrounding its efficacy on mental health outcomes, particularly, on depression. This study assesses the effect of medical cannabis on Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) scores in adult patients between 2014 and 2019 in Ontario and Alberta, Canada. Methods: An observational cohort study of medically authorized cannabis patients in Ontario and Alberta. Overall change in PHQ-9 scores from baseline to follow-up were evaluated (mean change) over a time period of up to 3.2 years. Results: 37,338 patients from the cohort had an initial PHQ-9 score recorded with 5103 (13.7%) patients having follow-up PHQ-9 scores. The average age was 54 yrs. (SD 15.7), 46% male, 50% noted depression at baseline. The average PHQ-9 score at baseline was 10.5 (SD 6.9), following a median follow-up time of 196 days (IQR: 77-451) the average final PHQ-9 score was 10.3 (SD 6.8) with a mean change of - 0.20 (95% CI: - 0.26, - 0.14, p-value < 0.0001). Overall, 4855 (95.1%) had no clinically significant change in their PHQ-9 score following medical cannabis use while 172 (3.4%) reported improvement and 76 (1.5%) reported worsening of their depression symptoms. Conclusions: Although the majority showed no clinically important changes in PHQ-9 scores, a number of patients showed improvement or deteriorations in PHQ-9 scores. Future studies should focus on the parallel use of screening questionnaires to control for PHQ-9 sensitivity and to explore potential factors that may have attributed to the improvement in scores pre- and post- 3-6 month time period.