Toronto |
Study finds opioid prescribing declines following release of national guidelines for physicians, but rates of overdose-related hospital visits continue to climb
The rate of opioid use in Canada has fallen 13.7 per cent since the publication in May 2010 of national guidelines for their use in chronic non-cancer pain, a new study has found.
Abstract
Toronto |
Costs of treating patients with psychosis change significantly as they age
Treating psychotic illnesses cost the province of Ontario just under $2.1 billion in 2012, which was about four per cent of the total provincial health budget.
Abstract
Toronto |
Low-income Ontario children with diabetes faring better than their Californian counterparts
Low-income children with Type 1 diabetes in Ontario are getting more of the recommended preventative care visits and have fewer hospitalizations than similar children in California.
Abstract
Toronto |
People with traumatic brain injury approximately 2.5 times more likely to be incarcerated in Canada
People who have suffered a traumatic brain injury are approximately 2.5 times more likely to be incarcerated in a federal correctional facility in Canada than people who have not.
Abstract
Toronto |
Single fathers just as likely as single mothers to self-report poor health and poor mental health
Single fathers now make up an estimated 20 per cent of all single-parent households in Ontario, and are just as likely as single mothers to report poor overall health and poor mental health.
Abstract
Toronto |
Study finds risk of hemorrhage with combination of two common statins and stroke prevention drug
Two commonly prescribed statins, lovastatin and simvastatin, appear to be associated with a higher risk of bleeding than others when combined with dabigatran.
Abstract
Toronto |
Patients not attached to new primary care practices receive lower quality care, research suggests
One in six patients in Ontario does not belong to an organized primary care practice, new research suggests.
Abstract
Toronto |
Children with cancer much more likely than adults to receive high-intensity end-of-life care despite access to palliative care
About 40 per cent of children with cancer receive at least one form of high-intensity end-of-life care treatment.
Abstract
Toronto |
Using lung function tests to diagnose COPD can help patients and reduce health care costs
Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) would benefit if pulmonary function testing was used more consistently to diagnose the condition.
Abstract
Toronto |
Sex matters less and less when it comes to mortality rates; high-income men are living longer than low-income women
New trends show that low-income women have a shorter life expectancy than high-income men in Canada.
Abstract
Toronto |
More than 600 Ontarians died of opioid-related causes in 2013 with opioid prescribing and overdose varying widely across the province
There were 638 opioid-related deaths in Ontario in 2013, approximately one death for every 20,000 Ontarians.
Report
Toronto |
Gestational diabetes tied to increased future risk for cardiovascular disease
Study finds women who have gestational diabetes, have an elevated lifetime risk for developing cardiovascular disease
Abstract
Toronto |
Limiting reimbursement for blood glucose test strips does not harm patients and reduces costs
A provincial plan implementing quantity limits on blood glucose test strips for patients with Type 2 diabetes not using insulin does not put those patients at risk.
Abstract
Toronto |
Big data study shows “good” cholesterol not the best marker for heart health
Large-scale study from ICES shows HDL or “good” cholesterol isn’t a specific marker for heart health.
Abstract
ICES in the News | Washington Post
Toronto |
“Weekday effect” not a factor in elective surgery mortality in Ontario
The day of the week elective surgery is performed in Ontario does not impact a patient’s risk of mortality.
Abstract
Toronto |
Nearly 40% of young people with newly diagnosed schizophrenia do not receive any physician follow-up
Young Ontarians being diagnosed for the first time with schizophrenia are not receiving adequate physician follow-up, according to a new study from ICES.
Abstract
Toronto |
Depression increases risk of death in patients with chronic stable angina
Depression affects one in five patients with a new diagnosis of chronic stable angina and is associated with poor outcomes, including heart attack and death.
Abstract
Toronto |
Standard pertussis vaccine effective for a few years but immunity wanes substantially over time
The current vaccine for pertussis, or whooping cough, is highly effective the first three years after vaccination, but immunity wanes significantly over time.
Abstract
Toronto |
Traffic crash during pregnancy increases cerebral palsy risk to unborn child
Being in a motor vehicle crash during pregnancy nearly doubles the woman's risk that her unborn child will be subsequently diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
Abstract
Toronto |
Patients with COPD and chronic asthma at higher risk of severe illness: Ontario study
People with COPD are 53 per cent more likely to be hospitalized if they have a history of asthma.
Abstract
Toronto |
Study indicates MRIs in first trimester of pregnancy not associated with increased risk to fetus
Performing an MRI on a woman in the early part of pregnancy does not increase the risk of her baby being stillborn, dying soon after birth or having a birth defect.
Abstract
Toronto |
More psychiatrists will not improve access to mental health care in Ontario, study suggests
Increasing the supply of psychiatrists in Ontario has not significantly improved access to psychiatric care.
Abstract
Toronto |
Study reveals ethnic differences in mental illness severity when hospitalized
Chinese and South Asian patients in Ontario experience more severe mental illness at the time of hospital admission than other patients.
Abstract
Ottawa |
Unhealthy habits cost Canadians six years of life
Smoking, poor diet, physical inactivity, and unhealthy alcohol consumption contribute to about 50 percent of deaths in Canada, at a cost of six years of life.
Abstract
Toronto |
Many women heading to ER for postpartum mood disorders
Many Ontario women who experience mood disorders in the first year after giving birth go to their local emergency room for mental health care instead of their family doctor or community clinics.
Abstract
Toronto |
Patients at low risk of developing persistent opioid use one year after major surgery
Patients who have not had an opioid prescription within a year prior to their procedure are at low risk of developing persistent opioid use after major surgery.
Abstract
Toronto |
Gastric cancer patients receive different treatment depending on region: Ontario study
Ontario patients being treated for gastric cancer receive different care depending on where they live.
Abstract
Toronto |
New analysis looks at who is receiving high-strength opioids in Ontario
Nine out of 10 people in Ontario who receive government reimbursement for their prescription high-strength opioid tablets or patches are not palliative care patients.
View the ODPRN report and infographic
Toronto |
New study sheds light on long-term survival of children with trisomy 13 and 18
Study shows that while early mortality was the most common outcome for children with trisomy 13 and 18, the children who survive live much longer than previously described.
Abstract
Toronto |
New opioid use in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease associated with increased risk of death
Older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who start using opioids have a more than two-fold higher risk of dying from a respiratory-related complication compared to non-opioid users.
Abstract
Ottawa |
Researchers find unexpected association between younger donor age, female sex and transfusion outcomes
This is the first study to suggest that red blood cell transfusions from young donors and from female donors may be associated with poorer survival in recipients.
Abstract
Toronto |
Study of one million patients shows link between type 2 diabetes and many types of cancer
A million-patient study provides more detail on the association between type 2 diabetes and cancer, suggesting that prevention of the two diseases should go hand-in-hand.
Abstract
Toronto |
Home blood pressure monitoring may be driving unnecessary visits to ER: study
A growing number of people in Ontario make unnecessary trips to the emergency room because of worries about high blood pressure, possibly due to the prevalence of home monitoring equipment.
Abstract
London |
Ontario study casts doubt on clinical significance of gadolinium brain deposits
Study shows no increased risk of later parkinsonism associated with use of gadolinium, a chemical contrast agent commonly used to enhance MRI imaging.
Abstract
Hamilton |
New Hamilton research facility provides secure access to Ontario’s health data
ICES’s newest satellite site opened today at McMaster’s Health Sciences Centre.
Toronto |
Half of all patients dying in Ontario receive some form of palliative care, usually in hospital
52 per cent of all patients dying in Ontario had at least one palliative care encounter in the last year of life. The vast majority of these patients (85 per cent) received that care in hospitals.
Abstract
Toronto |
Ontario stroke mortality rate lowest ever: Stroke Report Cards
Ontario’s stroke mortality in 2015 was the lowest rate ever reported.
Report
Ottawa |
Canadian study shows effectiveness of hospital-initiated smoking cessation programs
Greater adoption of hospital-initiated tobacco cessation interventions improve patient outcomes and decrease further healthcare utilization.
Abstract
Toronto |
Maternal and infant health at increased risk if mother has an intellectual or developmental disability: largest study to date
Women with intellectual and developmental disabilities are at higher risk for many complications from pregnancy and birth, as are their babies.
Abstract
Toronto |
Obesity rising in less walkable Ontario neighbourhoods; highly walkable areas see drop in diabetes
Obesity rates in Southern Ontario cities have remained stable for more than a decade in highly walkable neighborhoods but continued to rise in less walkable ones
Abstract
Toronto |
Ontarians waiting too long to see specialists for arthritis care
Ontarians with rheumatic diseases wait nearly a year from onset of symptoms to their first consult with a rheumatologist, more than twice as long as in comparable European health systems.
Abstract
Toronto |
Ontario rotavirus hospitalizations drop 71 per cent after launch of infant vaccine program
Immunizing babies against rotavirus in Ontario led to a 71 per cent drop in hospitalizations for the infection across all ages.
Abstract
Toronto |
Study finds high death rate among people who are or have been incarcerated
People recently released from correctional facilities in Ontario had a risk of dying from a drug overdose 56 times greater than the general population.
Abstract
Toronto |
Poor contraceptive practices are leading to pregnancies in users of isotretinoin, a drug that causes birth defects
Drug safety network finds cases of fetal exposure to popular acne drug
Abstract
Toronto |
Statins shown to be safe in generic form for high-risk coronary patients
First large-scale population health study of generic statin efficacy in high-risk population provides reassuring evidence for Ontario cost-saving move
Abstract
Toronto |
Breast cancer patients receiving Herceptin treatment should be monitored for heart damage at any age
Breast cancer patients undergoing treatment with trastuzumab-containing regimens should be monitored for heart damage regardless of age.
Abstract
Toronto |
Unhealthy behaviours, socioeconomic barriers contribute to 37 per cent of Ontario’s health care costs: report
Unhealthy behaviours and socioeconomic barriers together contribute to 37 per cent of Ontario’s health care costs, at a burden of $134 billion over 10 years.
Report
Toronto |
Surgeries take 22 per cent longer in teaching hospitals
Patients undergoing common surgeries in teaching hospitals experience significantly longer surgical times, with durations that are 22 per cent longer on average in these academic centres.
Abstract
Toronto |
Dementia patients with multiple physicians or in long-term care at risk of medication conflict
Many seniors prescribed cholinesterase inhibitors for dementia are also taking anticholinergic drugs that can worsen their cognition, especially when when seeing multiple physicians or in LTC.
Abstract
Toronto |
New study finds anti-diabetic incretin-based drugs are not associated with an increased risk of heart failure
Incretin-based drugs for type 2 diabetes do not increase the risk of being hospitalized for heart failure relative to commonly used combinations of oral anti-diabetic drugs.
Abstract
Toronto |
Women with schizophrenia less likely to use acute mental health services during pregnancy and after delivery
Women with schizophrenia use fewer acute psychiatric services during pregnancy and in the year following delivery, at about half the amount used in the year before pregnancy.
Abstract
Toronto |
In-home palliative care in last month of life reduces overall health costs: multi-province study
Increased spending on palliative home-based care in the last month of life can help to reduce overall health care costs for patients dying of cancer.
Abstract
Toronto |
Lower income Ontario seniors less likely to access newly approved drugs: Ontario study
High income seniors were 50 per cent more likely to be prescribed a newly approved drug for atrial fibrillation than low income seniors before its inclusion in ODB.
Abstract
Toronto |
Concussion triples adult suicide risk, with rates highest following weekend concussions: Ontario study
Adults with a concussion have long-term suicide risk three times higher than general population, and risk increases by further third if concussion occurs on a weekend.
Abstract
Toronto |
Even moderate temperature changes can lead to death
Extreme hot and cold temperatures result in fatalities, but even moderate daily temperature changes are associated with increased deaths.
Abstract
Toronto |
Emergency visits by Ontario youth for mental health, addiction increase by 32 per cent over six years
Demand for child and youth mental health care has been rising throughout Ontario’s health care system, with biggest growth in Ontario’s emergency departments.
Abstract
Toronto |
Refugee women have higher risk of premature birth, study finds
Refugee women who come to Canada have greater risk of giving birth prematurely than non-refugee immigrants, a study by a St. Michael’s Hospital researcher has found.
Abstract
Toronto |
Unnecessary blood tests common prior to low-risk surgery, with high variation between hospitals: Ontario study
Depending on which hospital you go to for your low-risk surgical procedure, you may be 2.4 times more or less likely to be sent for unnecessary blood tests.
Abstract
Toronto |
High end-of-life cancer hospitalization rates, care costs in Canada: study
End-of-life cancer hospitalization rates and care costs vary significantly between seven developed countries, with Canada at or near the top of the list for both measures.
Abstract
Toronto |
Many Ontarians with dementia do not get rehabilitative care following hip fracture surgery; linked to more LTC admissions, mortality
Up to 40 per cent of older Ontarians with dementia receive no formal rehabilitation services following hip fracture surgery, and are more likely to be admitted to long-term care or die within a year
Abstract
Toronto |
Five per cent of Ontario residents account for majority of health care costs
Five per cent of Ontarians account for 65 per cent of provincial health care costs attributable to individual care with the top one per cent accounting for one third of these costs overall.
Abstract
Toronto |
Threefold risk of death from cancer after solid organ transplant, says new Ontario study
People who undergo solid organ transplantation are three times more likely to die from cancer than the general population, warranting more targeted cancer care for this vulnerable group.
Abstract
Toronto |
Substantial differences in health care use exist between heavy users of mental health care and other heavy users of care
Report finds heavy users of mental health care are younger, live in lower-income urban neighbourhoods, and are more evenly split between men and women.
Abstract