1
|
Wanigaratne S, Shah B, Stukel TA, Lu H, Den Otter-Moore S, Shetty J, Saunders N, Gandhi S, Guttmann A. COVID-19 hospitalization, mortality and pre-mature mortality by a history of immigration in Ontario, Canada: a population-based cohort study. LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. AMERICAS 2024; 34:100762. [PMID: 38779655 PMCID: PMC11109005 DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2024.100762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Background Immigrants in high-income countries experienced inequities in COVID-19 severe outcomes. We examined hospitalization and death throughout the pandemic, and change during the vaccine era, in Ontario, Canada. Methods We conducted a population-based study using linked immigration and health data, following two cohorts for 20 months from January 1, 2020 (pre-vaccine) and September 1, 2021 (vaccine era). We used multivariable Poisson generalized estimating equation regression to estimate adjusted rate ratios (aRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), accounting for age, sex and co-morbidities. We calculated age-standardized years of life lost (ASYRs) rates by immigrant category. Findings Of 11,692,387 community-dwelling adults in the pre-vaccine era cohort and 11,878,304 community-dwelling adults in the vaccine era cohort, 21.6% and 21.4% of adults in each era respectively were immigrants. Females accounted for 57.9% and 57.8% of sponsored family, and 68.4% and 67.6% of economic caregivers, in each era respectively. Compared to other Ontarians in the pre-vaccine era cohort, hospitalization rates were highest for refugees (aRR [95% CI] 3.41 [3.39-3.44]) and caregivers (3.13 [3.07-3.18]), followed by sponsored family and other economic immigrants. Compared to other Ontarians, aRRs were highest for immigrants from Central America (5.00 [4.92-5.09]), parts of South Asia (3.95 [3.89-4.01]) and Jamaica (3.56 [3.51-3.61]) with East Asians having lower aRRs. Mortality aRRs were similar to hospitalization aRRs. In the vaccine era, all aRRs were attenuated and most were similar to or lower than other Ontarians, with refugees and a few regions maintaining higher rates. In the pre-vaccine era ASYRs were higher for all immigrant groups. ASYRs dropped in the vaccine era with only refugees continuing to have higher rates. Interpretation Immigrants, particularly refugees, experienced greater premature mortality. aRRs for most immigrant groups dropped substantially after high vaccine coverage was achieved. Vaccine outreach and improvements in the social determinants of health are needed. Funding Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Canada Research Chairs Program.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susitha Wanigaratne
- Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
| | - Baiju Shah
- ICES, Toronto, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, The University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
| | - Therese A. Stukel
- ICES, Toronto, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, The University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | | | - Janavi Shetty
- Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
| | - Natasha Saunders
- Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, The University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Division of Paediatric Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Astrid Guttmann
- Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, The University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Division of Paediatric Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Atal R, Bedregal P, Carrasco JA, González F, Harrison R, Vizcaya C. The Impacts of COVID-19 Restrictions on Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALY): Heterogeneous effects and post-pandemic recovery. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300891. [PMID: 38547212 PMCID: PMC10977738 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Estimate the effects of non-pharmacological interventions used to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on the quality of life, measured by Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs). METHODS A survey on 1,506 heads of households from Chile in May of 2022. Respondents were asked basic socioeconomic questions and a version of the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire that was used to calculate the evolution of HRQoLs. Comparisons of means in HRQoLs measures before the pandemic, at the peak of restrictions, and at the moment of the survey were performed. RESULTS The average HRQoL of the population before the pandemic was similar to other countries in the region (0.96). At the peak of restrictions (June 2020-August 2021), the average HRQoL decreased to 0.87 (-9%). At the time of survey (May 2022), the average HQRoL was 0.91 (4%). Assuming the recovery trend continued, pre-pandemic HRQoLs would be reached by January 2024. Altogether, the pandemic would have reduced QALYs by 0.2 in average. The effect is larger and the recovery slower among women. Our estimates imply that the restrictions to manage the pandemic came at a cost of 2.4 months of life years for the average (surviving) person, 1.8 months for men and 3.4 for women. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that COVID-19 had worse effects on life quality than previously thought. These effects are more significant among women than among men. Efforts to improve life quality and speed up its recovery could have large positive consequences for the population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raimundo Atal
- Department of Environmental Studies, New York University, New York City, NY, United States of America
| | - Paula Bedregal
- Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Felipe González
- School of Economics and Finance, Queen Mary University of London, London, England
| | | | - Cecilia Vizcaya
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Alves IB, Panunzi S, Silva AC, Loesch RBR, Pereira SCR, Martins MRO. Have immigrant children been left behind in COVID-19 testing rates? - A quantitative study in the Lisbon metropolitan area between march 2020 and may 2023. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1286829. [PMID: 38532979 PMCID: PMC10963449 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1286829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Immigrant children often encounter additional barriers in accessing health care than their peers. However, there is a lack of evidence globally regarding how migrant status may have affected access to COVID-19 testing during the pandemic. This study aimed to analyze migrant status as a determinant of COVID-19 testing rates among children in the Lisbon metropolitan area, Portugal. This cross-sequential study included 722 children aged 2-8 years (47% non-immigrants; 53% immigrants). We collected data from a national surveillance system on laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 tests conducted between March 2020 and May 2023 and assessed whether children were ever tested for COVID-19 and testing frequency. We employed robust and standard Poisson regression models to estimate Adjusted Prevalence Ratios and Relative Risks with 95% confidence intervals. A total of 637 tests were performed. Immigrant children had lower testing rates (53% vs. 48%) and fewer tests per child (median: 2 vs. 3). Moreover, they were 17% less likely to be ever tested (PR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.76-0.89) and performed 26% fewer tests (RR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.67-0.82) compared to non-immigrant children. Caregiver's age, education, employment status, child's birth weight, and perceived health status were associated factors. Our findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has left immigrant children somewhat behind. We conclude that specific interventions targeting vulnerable populations, such as immigrant children, are needed in future health crises.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iolanda B. Alves
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (IHMT), NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Silvia Panunzi
- Unit of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - António C. Silva
- Public Health Department, Regional Health Administration of Lisbon and Tagus Valley, Ministry of Health, Lisbon, Portugal
- AJPAS-Associação de Intervenção Comunitária, Desenvolvimento Social e de Saúde, Amadora, Portugal
| | - Regina B. R. Loesch
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (IHMT), NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sofia C. R. Pereira
- Amadora Primary Care Health Centre’s Group, Regional Health Administration of Lisbon and Tagus Valley, Ministry of Health, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - M. Rosário O. Martins
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (IHMT), NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ga’al A, Kapsack A, Mahmud A, Estrada-Codecido J, Lam P, Chan A, Andany N, Simor A, Kiss A, Daneman N. Predictors of later COVID-19 test seeking. JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE CANADA = JOURNAL OFFICIEL DE L'ASSOCIATION POUR LA MICROBIOLOGIE MEDICALE ET L'INFECTIOLOGIE CANADA 2024; 8:299-308. [PMID: 38250614 PMCID: PMC10797764 DOI: 10.3138/jammi-2023-0007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Background Delays in COVID-19 testing may increase the risk of secondary household and community transmission. Little is known about what patient characteristics and symptom profiles are associated with delays in test seeking. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all symptomatic patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and assessed in a COVID Expansion to Outpatients (COVIDEO) virtual care program between March 2020 and June 2021. The primary outcome was later test seeking more than 3 days from symptom onset. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine predictors of later testing including patient characteristics and symptoms (30 individual symptoms or 7 symptom clusters). Results Of 5,363 COVIDEO patients, 4,607 were eligible and 2,155/4,607 (46.8%) underwent later testing. Older age was associated with increased odds of late testing (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.007/year; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.01), as was history of recent travel (aOR 1.4; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.95). Health care workers had lower odds of late testing (aOR 0.50; 95% CI 0.39 to 0.62). Late testing was associated with symptoms in the cardiorespiratory (aOR 1.2; 95% CI 1.05, 1.36), gastrointestinal (aOR = 1.2; 95% CI 1.04, 1.4), neurological (aOR 1.1; 95% CI 1.003, 1.3) and psychiatric (aOR 1.3; 95% CI 1.1, 1.5) symptom clusters. Among individual symptoms, dyspnea, anosmia, dysgeusia, sputum, and anorexia were associated with late testing; pharyngitis, myalgia, and headache were associated with early testing. Conclusion Certain patient characteristics and symptoms are associated with later testing, and warrant further efforts to encourage earlier testing to minimize transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amal Ga’al
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Abby Kapsack
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | | | - Philip Lam
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Adrienne Chan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Nisha Andany
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Andrew Simor
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Alex Kiss
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
| | - Nick Daneman
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Neal WN, Schleicher EA, Baron K, Oster RA, Brown NI, Demark-Wahnefried W, Pisu M, Baskin ML, Parrish KB, Cole WW, Thirumalai M, Pekmezi DW. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Activity among Mostly Older, Overweight Black Women Living in the Rural Alabama Black Belt. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:7180. [PMID: 38131731 PMCID: PMC10743260 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20247180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Despite well-documented global declines in physical activity (PA) during the COVID-19 pandemic, little is known regarding the specific impact among underserved, rural Alabama counties. This is concerning as this region was already disproportionately burdened by inactivity and related chronic diseases and was among the hardest hit by COVID-19. Thus, the current study examined the effect of COVID-19 on PA in four rural Alabama counties. An ancillary survey was administered between March 2020 and August 2021 to the first cohort (N = 171) of participants enrolled in a larger PA trial. Main outcomes of this survey included the perceived impact of COVID-19 on PA, leisure-time PA, and social cognitive theory (SCT) constructs at 3 months. Almost half of the participants reported being less active during the pandemic (49.7%) and endorsed that COVID-19 made PA more difficult (47.4%), citing concerns such as getting sick from exercising outside of the home (70.4%) and discomfort wearing a face mask while exercising (58%). Perceived COVID-19 impact on PA was significantly associated with education, household dependents, and gender (p's < 0.05). More women, parents, and college graduates reported that the COVID-19 pandemic made PA more difficult. Overall, there were no significant associations between PA, SCT constructs, or perceived COVID-19 impact on PA scores at 3 months. While the pandemic made PA difficult for many participants, these barriers were not associated with leisure-time PA levels or related theoretical mechanisms of action, which bodes well for the success of our ongoing intervention efforts and the resiliency of these communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Whitney N. Neal
- Department of Health Behavior, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (E.A.S.); (K.B.P.); (W.W.C.); (D.W.P.)
| | - Erica A. Schleicher
- Department of Health Behavior, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (E.A.S.); (K.B.P.); (W.W.C.); (D.W.P.)
- O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (R.A.O.); (M.P.)
| | - Kerri Baron
- Capstone College of Nursing, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA;
| | - Robert A. Oster
- O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (R.A.O.); (M.P.)
- Department of Medicine, Division of Preventive Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
| | - Nashira I. Brown
- Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL 33612, USA;
| | - Wendy Demark-Wahnefried
- Department of Medicine, Division of Preventive Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
- Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Maria Pisu
- O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (R.A.O.); (M.P.)
- Department of Medicine, Division of Preventive Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
| | - Monica L. Baskin
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA;
| | - Kelsey B. Parrish
- Department of Health Behavior, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (E.A.S.); (K.B.P.); (W.W.C.); (D.W.P.)
| | - William Walker Cole
- Department of Health Behavior, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (E.A.S.); (K.B.P.); (W.W.C.); (D.W.P.)
| | - Mohanraj Thirumalai
- Health Services Administration, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
| | - Dori W. Pekmezi
- Department of Health Behavior, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (E.A.S.); (K.B.P.); (W.W.C.); (D.W.P.)
- O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (R.A.O.); (M.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Rodrigues IB, Fahim C, Garad Y, Presseau J, Hoens AM, Braimoh J, Duncan D, Bruyn-Martin L, Straus SE. Developing the intersectionality supplemented Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) and tools for intersectionality considerations. BMC Med Res Methodol 2023; 23:262. [PMID: 37946142 PMCID: PMC10636989 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-023-02083-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The concept of intersectionality proposes that demographic and social constructs intersect with larger social structures of oppression and privilege to shape experiences. While intersectionality is a widely accepted concept in feminist and gender studies, there has been little attempt to use this lens in implementation science. We aimed to supplement the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), a commonly used framework in implementation science, to support the incorporation of intersectionality in implementation science projects by (1) integrating an intersectional lens to the CFIR; and (2) developing a tool for researchers to be used alongside the updated framework. METHODS Using a nominal group technique, an interdisciplinary framework committee (n = 17) prioritized the CFIR as one of three implementation science models, theories, and frameworks to supplement with intersectionality considerations; the modification of the other two frameworks are described in other papers. The CFIR subgroup (n = 7) reviewed the five domains and 26 constructs in the CFIR and prioritized domains and constructs for supplementation with intersectional considerations. The subgroup then iteratively developed recommendations and prompts for incorporating an intersectional approach within the prioritized domains and constructs. We developed recommendations and prompts to help researchers consider how personal identities and power structures may affect the facilitators and inhibitors of behavior change and the implementation of subsequent interventions. RESULTS We achieved consensus on how to apply an intersectional lens to CFIR after six rounds of meetings. The final intersectionality supplemented CFIR includes the five original domains, and 28 constructs; the outer systems and structures and the outer cultures constructs were added to the outer setting domain. Intersectionality prompts were added to 13 of the 28 constructs. CONCLUSION Through an expert-consensus approach, we modified the CFIR to include intersectionality considerations and developed a tool with prompts to help implementation users apply an intersectional lens using the updated framework.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel B Rodrigues
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Knowledge Translation Program, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Christine Fahim
- Knowledge Translation Program, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Yasmin Garad
- Knowledge Translation Program, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Justin Presseau
- Clinical Epidemiology, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Alison M Hoens
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jessica Braimoh
- Department of Social Science, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Diane Duncan
- Physician Learning Program, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Lora Bruyn-Martin
- Research Institute for Aging, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Sharon E Straus
- Knowledge Translation Program, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Antonova L, Somayaji C, Cameron J, Sirski M, Sundaram ME, McDonald JT, Mishra S, Kwong JC, Katz A, Baral S, Caulley L, Calzavara A, Corsten M, Johnson-Obaseki S. Comparison of socio-economic determinants of COVID-19 testing and positivity in Canada: A multi-provincial analysis. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0289292. [PMID: 37611032 PMCID: PMC10446177 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been more pronounced for socially disadvantaged populations. We sought to determine how access to SARS-CoV-2 testing and the likelihood of testing positive for COVID-19 were associated with demographic factors, socioeconomic status (SES) and social determinants of health (SDH) in three Canadian provinces. METHODS An observational population-based cross-sectional study was conducted for the provinces of Ontario, Manitoba and New Brunswick between March 1, 2020 and April 27, 2021, using provincial health administrative data. After excluding residents of long-term care homes, those without current provincial health insurance and those who were tested for COVID-19 out of province, records from provincial healthcare administrative databases were reviewed for 16,900,661 healthcare users. Data was modelled separately for each province in accordance to a prespecified protocol and follow-up consultations among provincial statisticians and collaborators. We employed univariate and multivariate regression models to examine determinants of testing and test results. RESULTS After adjustment for other variables, female sex and urban residency were positively associated with testing, while female sex was negatively associated with test positivity. In New Brunswick and Ontario, individuals living in higher income areas were more likely to be tested, whereas in Manitoba higher income was negatively associated with both testing and positivity. High ethnocultural composition was associated with lower testing rates. Both high ethnocultural composition and high situational vulnerability increased the odds of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2. DISCUSSION We observed that multiple demographic, income and SDH factors were associated with SARS-CoV-2 testing and test positivity. Barriers to healthcare access identified in this study specifically relate to COVID-19 testing but may reflect broader inequities for certain at-risk groups.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lilia Antonova
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Chandy Somayaji
- New Brunswick Institute for Research, Data, and Training, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada
| | - Jillian Cameron
- New Brunswick Institute for Research, Data, and Training, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada
| | - Monica Sirski
- Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Maria E. Sundaram
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Population Health, Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, Marshfield, WI, United States of America
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - James Ted McDonald
- Department of Political Science, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada
| | - Sharmistha Mishra
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- MAP Center for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jeffrey C. Kwong
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Alan Katz
- Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Stefan Baral
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Lisa Caulley
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Martin Corsten
- Division of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Stephanie Johnson-Obaseki
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Hosseini-Moghaddam SM, Shepherd FA, Swayze S, Kwong JC, Chan KKW. SARS-CoV-2 Infection, Hospitalization, and Mortality in Adults With and Without Cancer. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2331617. [PMID: 37651139 PMCID: PMC10472189 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.31617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Patients with cancer are at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2-associated adverse outcomes. Objective To determine the associations of tumor type with SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and death. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective, population-based cohort study included community-dwelling adults aged at least 18 years in Ontario, Canada, ICES-linked provincial health databases from January 1, 2020, to November 30, 2021. Data were analyzed from December 1, 2021, to November 1, 2022. Exposures Cancer diagnosis. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was SARS-CoV-2 infection, and secondary outcomes included all-cause 14-day hospitalization, 21-day ICU admission, and 28-day death following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Cox proportional hazards models were used to obtain adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% CIs. Results Of 11 732 108 people in the ICES-linked health databases, 279 287 had cancer (57.2% female; mean [SD] age, 65.9 [16.1] years) and 11 452 821 people did not have cancer (45.7% female; mean [SD] age, 65.9 [16.0] years). Overall, 464 574 individuals (4.1%) developed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Individuals with hematologic malignant neoplasms (33 901 individuals) were at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection (aHR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.13-1.25), 14-day hospitalization (aHR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.57-1.96), and 28-day mortality (aHR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.74-2.38) compared with the overall population, while individuals with solid tumors (245 386 individuals) were at lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection (aHR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.91-0.95) but increased risk of 14-day hospitalization (aHR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.05-1.18) and 28-day mortality (aHR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.19-1.44). The 28-day mortality rate was high in hospitalized patients with hematologic malignant neoplasms (163 of 321 hospitalized patients [50.7%]) or solid tumors (486 of 1060 hospitalized patients [45.8%]). However, the risk of 21-day ICU admission in patients with hematologic malignant neoplasms (aHR, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.93-1.40) or solid tumors (aHR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.82-1.05) was not significantly different from that among individuals without cancer. The SARS-CoV-2 infection risk decreased stepwise with increasing numbers of COVID-19 vaccine doses received (1 dose: aHR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.62-0.63; 2 doses: aHR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.16-0.16; 3 doses: aHR, 0.05; 95% CI, 0.04-0.06). Conclusions and Relevance These findings highlight the importance of prioritization strategies regarding ICU access to reduce the mortality risk in increased-risk populations, such as patients with cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seyed M. Hosseini-Moghaddam
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Transplant-Oncology Infectious Diseases, Ajmera Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Frances A. Shepherd
- Divisions of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Princess Margaret Caner Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Jeffrey C. Kwong
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kelvin K. W. Chan
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Divisions of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Odette Caner Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Wiedmeyer ML, Goldenberg S, Peterson S, Wanigaratne S, Machado S, Tayyar E, Braschel M, Carrillo R, Sierra-Heredia C, Tuyisenge G, Lavergne MR. SARS-CoV-2 testing and COVID-19-related primary care use among people with citizenship, permanent residency, and temporary immigration status: an analysis of population-based administrative data in British Columbia. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH = REVUE CANADIENNE DE SANTE PUBLIQUE 2023; 114:389-403. [PMID: 37014576 PMCID: PMC10072010 DOI: 10.17269/s41997-023-00761-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Having temporary immigration status affords limited rights, workplace protections, and access to services. There is not yet research data on impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic for people with temporary immigration status in Canada. METHODS We use linked administrative data to describe SARS-CoV-2 testing, positive tests, and COVID-19 primary care service use in British Columbia from January 1, 2020 to July 31, 2021, stratified by immigration status (citizen, permanent resident, temporary resident). We plot the rates of people tested and confirmed positive for COVID-19 by week from April 19, 2020 to July 31, 2021 across immigration groups. We use logistic regression to estimate adjusted odds ratios of a positive SARS-CoV-2 test, access to testing, and primary care among people with temporary status or permanent residency, compared with people who hold citizenship. RESULTS A total of 4,146,593 people with citizenship, 914,089 people with permanent residency, and 212,215 people with temporary status were included. Among people with temporary status, 52.1% had "male" administrative sex and 74.4% were ages 20-39, compared with 50.1% and 24.4% respectively among those with citizenship. Of people with temporary status, 4.9% tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 over this period, compared with 4.0% among people with permanent residency and 2.1% among people with citizenship. Adjusted odds of a positive SARS-CoV-2 test among people with temporary status were almost 50% higher (aOR 1.42, 95% CI 1.39, 1.45), despite having half the odds of access to testing (aOR 0.53, 95% CI 0.53, 0.54) and primary care (aOR 0.50, 95% CI 0.49, 0.52). CONCLUSION Interwoven immigration, health, and occupational policies place people with temporary status in circumstances of precarity and higher health risk. Reducing precarity accompanying temporary status, including regularization pathways, and decoupling access to health care from immigration status can address health inequities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Ling Wiedmeyer
- Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Shira Goldenberg
- Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Sandra Peterson
- Centre for Health Services and Policy Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Susitha Wanigaratne
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Edwin H.S. Leong Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Stefanie Machado
- Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Elmira Tayyar
- Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Melissa Braschel
- Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ruth Carrillo
- Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | | | - M Ruth Lavergne
- Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Hsieh MC, Lefante C, Straif-Bourgeois S, Yi Y, Gomez N, Shrestha P, Chen VW, Wu XC. Racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in COVID-19 infections among working-age women with precancerous cervical lesion in Louisiana: analysis of more than two years of COVID-19 data. FRONTIERS IN EPIDEMIOLOGY 2023; 3:1108452. [PMID: 38455937 PMCID: PMC10911027 DOI: 10.3389/fepid.2023.1108452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Background Precancerous cervical lesion (PCL) is common in working-age and minority women. In Louisiana, 98% of PCL cases were diagnosed at age 18-65 with over 90% of them being human papillomavirus (HPV)-related. PCL women represent those who may be immunocompromised from the precancerous condition and thus more vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2. Most studies evaluating racial disparities for COVID-19 infection have only used data prior to vaccine availability. This study assessed disparities by race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status (SES) in COVID-19 infections among working-age PCL women for pre- and post-COVID-19 vaccine availability. Methods Louisiana women aged 18-65 with PCL diagnosed in 2009-2021 were linked with the Louisiana statewide COVID-19 database to identify those with positive COVID-19 test. Race/ethnicity was categorized as non-Hispanic white (NHW), non-Hispanic black (NHB), Hispanic, and others. The census tract SES quintiles were created based on American Community Survey estimates. Logistic regression was employed to assess the racial/ethnic and SES differences in COVID-19 infections. Results Of 14,669 eligible PCL women, 30% were tested COVID-19 positive. NHB had the highest percentage of COVID-19 infection (34.6%), followed by NHW (27.7%). The infection percentage was inversely proportional to SES, with 32.9% for women having the lowest SES and 26.8% for those with the highest SES. NHB women and those with lower SES had higher COVID-19 infection than their counterparts with an aOR of 1.37 (95% CI 1.25-1.49) and 1.21 (95% CI 1.07-1.37), respectively. In the pre-vaccine period, NHB and Hispanic women had higher odds of infection than NHW women. However, after the vaccine was implemented, the significant racial/ethnic and SES differences in COVID-19 infections still existed in PCL women residing in non-Greater New Orleans area. Conclusions There are substantial variations in racial/ethnic and SES disparities in COVID-19 infections among working-age women with PCL, even after vaccine implementation. It is imperative to provide public health interventions and resources to reduce this unequal burden for this vulnerable population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Chin Hsieh
- Louisiana Tumor Registry, School of Public Health, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
- Epidemiology Program, School of Public Health, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Christina Lefante
- Louisiana Tumor Registry, School of Public Health, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Susanne Straif-Bourgeois
- Louisiana Tumor Registry, School of Public Health, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Yong Yi
- Louisiana Tumor Registry, School of Public Health, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Natalie Gomez
- Louisiana Tumor Registry, School of Public Health, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Pratibha Shrestha
- Epidemiology Program, School of Public Health, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Vivien W. Chen
- Louisiana Tumor Registry, School of Public Health, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
- Epidemiology Program, School of Public Health, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Xiao-Cheng Wu
- Louisiana Tumor Registry, School of Public Health, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
- Epidemiology Program, School of Public Health, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Sheppard N, Carroll M, Gao C, Lane T. Particulate matter air pollution and COVID-19 infection, severity, and mortality: A systematic review and meta-analysis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 880:163272. [PMID: 37030371 PMCID: PMC10079587 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Ecological evidence links ambient particulate matter ≤2.5 mm (PM2.5) and the rate of COVID-19 infections, severity, and deaths. However, such studies are unable to account for individual-level differences in major confounders like socioeconomic status and often rely on imprecise measures of PM2.5. We conducted a systematic review of case-control and cohort studies, which rely on individual-level data, searching Medline, Embase, and the WHO COVID-19 database up to 30 June 2022. Study quality was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Results were pooled with a random effects meta-analysis, with Egger's regression, funnel plots, and leave-one-out/trim-and-fill sensitivity analyses to account for publication bias. N = 18 studies met inclusion criteria. A 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 was associated with 66 % (95 % CI: 1.31-2.11) greater odds of COVID-19 infection (N = 7) and 127 % (95 % CI: 1.41-3.66) odds of severe illness (hospitalisation, ICU admission, or requiring respiratory support) (N = 6). Pooled mortality results (N = 5) indicated increased deaths due to PM2.5 but were non-significant (OR 1.40; 0.94 to 2.10). Most studies were rated "good" quality (14/18 studies), though there were numerous methodological issues; few used individual-level data to adjust for socioeconomic status (4/18 studies), instead using area-based indicators (11/18 studies) or no such adjustments (3/18 studies). Most severity (9/10 studies) and mortality studies (5/6 studies) were based on people already diagnosed COVID-19, potentially introducing collider bias. There was evidence of publication bias in studies of infection (p = 0.012) but not severity (p = 0.132) or mortality (p = 0.100). While methodological limits and evidence of bias require cautious interpretation of the findings, we found compelling evidence that PM2.5 increases the risk of COVID-19 infection and severe disease, and weaker evidence of an increase in mortality risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Sheppard
- Monash School of Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Matthew Carroll
- Monash Rural Health Churchill, Monash University, Churchill, VIC, Australia
| | - Caroline Gao
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Orygen, Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Tyler Lane
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Wang L, Calzavara A, Baral S, Smylie J, Chan AK, Sander B, Austin PC, Kwong JC, Mishra S. Differential Patterns by Area-Level Social Determinants of Health in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)-Related Mortality and Non-COVID-19 Mortality: A Population-Based Study of 11.8 Million People in Ontario, Canada. Clin Infect Dis 2023; 76:1110-1120. [PMID: 36303410 PMCID: PMC9620355 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciac850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social determinants of health (SDOH) have been associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes. We examined patterns in COVID-19-related mortality by SDOH and compared these patterns to those for non-COVID-19 mortality. METHODS Residents of Ontario, Canada, aged ≥20 years were followed from 1 March 2020 to 2 March 2021. COVID-19-related death was defined as death within 30 days following or 7 days prior to a positive COVID-19 test. Area-level SDOH from the 2016 census included median household income; proportion with diploma or higher educational attainment; proportion essential workers, racially minoritized groups, recent immigrants, apartment buildings, and high-density housing; and average household size. We examined associations between SDOH and COVID-19-related mortality, and non-COVID-19 mortality using cause-specific hazard models. RESULTS Of 11 810 255 individuals, we observed 3880 COVID-19-related deaths and 88 107 non-COVID-19 deaths. After accounting for demographics, baseline health, and other area-level SDOH, the following were associated with increased hazards of COVID-19-related death (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: lower income (1.30 [1.04-1.62]), lower educational attainment (1.27 [1.07-1.52]), higher proportions essential workers (1.28 [1.05-1.57]), racially minoritized groups (1.42 [1.08-1.87]), apartment buildings (1.25 [1.07-1.46]), and large vs medium household size (1.30 [1.12-1.50]). Areas with higher proportion racially minoritized groups were associated with a lower hazard of non-COVID-19 mortality (0.88 [0.84-0.92]). CONCLUSIONS Area-level SDOH are associated with COVID-19-related mortality after accounting for demographic and clinical factors. COVID-19 has reversed patterns of lower non-COVID-19 mortality among racially minoritized groups. Pandemic responses should include strategies to address disproportionate risks and inequitable coverage of preventive interventions associated with SDOH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linwei Wang
- MAP-Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Stefan Baral
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Janet Smylie
- MAP-Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Well Living House, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Adrienne K Chan
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Beate Sander
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Toronto Health Economics and Technology Assessment Collaborative, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Peter C Austin
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jeffrey C Kwong
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sharmistha Mishra
- Correspondence: S. Mishra, MAP-Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, University of Toronto, 209 Victoria St, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5B 1T8 ()
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Srivastava P, Lau NTT, Ansari D, Thampi N. Effects of school-level and area-level socio-economic factors on elementary school student COVID-19 infections: a population-based observational study. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e065596. [PMID: 36882251 PMCID: PMC10008203 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To estimate the variability of the cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections among elementary school students attributable to individual schools and/or their geographic areas, and to ascertain whether socio-economic characteristics of school populations and/or geographic areas may be predictive of this variability. DESIGN Population-based observational study of SARS-CoV-2 infections among elementary school children. SETTING 3994 publicly funded elementary schools in 491 forward sortation areas (designated geographic unit based on first three characters of Canadian postal code), Ontario, Canada, September 2020 to April 2021. PARTICIPANTS All students attending publicly funded elementary schools with a positive molecular test for SARS-CoV-2 reported by the Ontario Ministry of Education. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Cumulative incidence of laboratory-confirmed elementary school student SARS-CoV-2 infections in Ontario, 2020-21 school year. RESULTS A multilevel modelling approach was used to estimate the effects of socio-economic factors at the school and area levels on the cumulative incidence of elementary school student SARS-CoV-2 infections. At the school level (level 1), the proportion of the student body from low-income households was positively associated with cumulative incidence (β=0.083, p<0.001). At the area level (level 2), all dimensions of marginalisation were significantly related to cumulative incidence. Ethnic concentration (β=0.454, p<0.001), residential instability (β=0.356, p<0.001) and material deprivation (β=0.212, p<0.001) were positively related, while dependency (β=-0.204, p<0.001) was negatively related. Area-related marginalisation variables explained 57.6% of area variability in cumulative incidence. School-related variables explained 1.2% of school variability in cumulative incidence. CONCLUSIONS The socio-economic characteristics of the geographic area of schools were more important in accounting for the cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 elementary school student infections than individual school characteristics. Schools in marginalised areas should be prioritised for infection prevention measures and education continuity and recovery plans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Nathan T T Lau
- Faculty of Education, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Daniel Ansari
- Faculty of Education, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- Brain and Mind Institute, Department of Psychology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nisha Thampi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, CHEO, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Asada Y, Grignon M, Hurley J, Stewart SA, Smith NK, Kirkland S, McMillan J, Griffith LE, Wolfson C, Raina P. Trajectories of the socioeconomic gradient of mental health: Results from the CLSA COVID-19 Questionnaire Study. Health Policy 2023; 131:104758. [PMID: 36924671 PMCID: PMC9985544 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2023.104758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
As the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic prolongs, documenting trajectories of the socioeconomic gradient of mental health is important. We describe changes in the prevalence and absolute and relative income-related inequalities of mental health between April and December 2020 in Canada. We used data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) COVID-19 Questionnaire Study and the pre-pandemic CLSA Follow-up 1. We estimated the prevalence proportion, the concentration index (relative inequality), and the generalized concentration index (absolute inequality) for anxiety and self-reported feeling generally unwell at multiple points in April-December 2020, overall, by sex and age group, by region, and among those who reported poor or fair overall health and mental health pre-pandemic. Overall, the prevalence of anxiety remained unchanged (22.45 to 22.10%, p = 0.231), but self-reported feeling generally unwell decreased (9.83 to 5.94%, p = 0.004). Relative and absolute income-related inequalities were unchanged for both anxiety and self-reported feeling generally unwell, with exceptions of an increased concentration of self-reported feeling generally unwell among the poor, measured by the concentration index, overall (-0.054 to -0.115, p = 0.004) and in Ontario (-0.035 to -0.123, p = 0.047) and British Columbia (-0.055 to -0.141, p = 0.044). The COVID-19 pandemic appeared to neither exacerbate nor ameliorate existing income-related inequalities in mental health among older adults in Canada between April and December 2020. Continued monitoring of inequalities is necessary.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yukiko Asada
- Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, 5790 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H1V7, Canada.
| | - Michel Grignon
- Department of Economics, Department of Health, Aging & Society, Centre for Health Economics and Policy Analysis (CHEPA), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S4M4, Canada.
| | - Jeremiah Hurley
- Department of Economics, Centre for Health Economics and Policy Analysis, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S4M4, Canada.
| | - Samuel A Stewart
- Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, 5790 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H1V7, Canada.
| | - Nathan K Smith
- Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, 5790 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H1V7, Canada.
| | - Susan Kirkland
- Departments of Community Health & Epidemiology and Medicine, Dalhousie University, 5790 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H1V7, Canada.
| | - Jacqueline McMillan
- Department of Medicine, Section of Geriatric Medicine and O'Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
| | - Lauren E Griffith
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Christina Wolfson
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Parminder Raina
- McMaster Institute for Research on Aging, Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
| | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Harish V, Buajitti E, Burrows H, Posen J, Bogoch II, Corbeil A, Gubbay JB, Rosella LC, Morris SK. Geographic clustering of travel-acquired infections in Ontario, Canada, 2008-2020. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0001608. [PMID: 36963058 PMCID: PMC10022755 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
As the frequency of international travel increases, more individuals are at risk of travel-acquired infections (TAIs). In this ecological study of over 170,000 unique tests from Public Health Ontario's laboratory, we reviewed all laboratory-reported cases of malaria, dengue, chikungunya, and enteric fever in Ontario, Canada between 2008-2020 to identify high-resolution geographical clusters for potential targeted pre-travel prevention. Smoothed standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and 95% posterior credible intervals (CIs) were estimated using a spatial Bayesian hierarchical model. High- and low-incidence areas were described using data from the 2016 Census based on the home forward sortation area of patients testing positive. A second model was used to estimate the association between drivetime to the nearest travel clinic and incidence of TAI within high-incidence areas. There were 6,114 microbiologically confirmed TAIs across Ontario over the study period. There was spatial clustering of TAIs (Moran's I = 0.59, p<0.0001). Compared to low-incidence areas, high-incidence areas had higher proportions of immigrants (p<0.0001), were lower income (p = 0.0027), had higher levels of university education (p<0.0001), and less knowledge of English/French languages (p<0.0001). In the high-incidence Greater Toronto Area (GTA), each minute increase in drive time to the closest travel clinic was associated with a 3% reduction in TAI incidence (95% CI 1-6%). While urban neighbourhoods in the GTA had the highest burden of TAIs, geographic proximity to a travel clinic in the GTA was not associated with an area-level incidence reduction in TAI. This suggests other barriers to seeking and adhering to pre-travel advice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vinyas Harish
- MD/PhD Program, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Emmalin Buajitti
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Holly Burrows
- Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Joshua Posen
- Division of Infectious Diseases, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Isaac I. Bogoch
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Jonathan B. Gubbay
- Division of Infectious Diseases, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Laura C. Rosella
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute for Better Health, Trillium Health Partners, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Shaun K. Morris
- Division of Infectious Diseases, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Ma H, Chan AK, Baral SD, Fahim C, Straus S, Sander B, Mishra S. Which Curve Are We Flattening? The Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19 Among Economically Marginalized Communities in Ontario, Canada, Was Unchanged From Wild-Type to Omicron. Open Forum Infect Dis 2022; 10:ofac690. [PMID: 36726534 PMCID: PMC9879750 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofac690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Person-level surveillance (N = 14 million) and neighborhood-level income data were used to explore magnitude of inequalities in COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths over 5 waves in Ontario, Canada. Despite attempts at equity-informed policies alongside fluctuating levels of public health measures, the magnitude of inequalities in hospitalizations and deaths remained unchanged across waves.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Stefan D Baral
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Christine Fahim
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sharon Straus
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Beate Sander
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sharmistha Mishra
- Correspondence: Sharmistha Mishra, MD, PhD, St Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, 209 Victoria St, Room 315, Toronto, ON, M5B 1T8, Canada ()
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Beesoon S, Bakal JA, Youngson E, Williams KP, Berzins SA, Brindle ME, Joffe AM. Excess deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta, Canada. IJID REGIONS 2022; 5:62-67. [PMID: 36060856 PMCID: PMC9424127 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijregi.2022.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Objectives To determine if there was excess mortality in Alberta, Canada during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, to confirm if excess mortality affected all age groups equally, and to determine what proportions of excess deaths were directly related to COVID-19 and non-pharmaceutical drug poisoning. Methods Weekly all-cause data used to estimate excess mortality were modelled against the pre-pandemic period (January 2015-February 2020). Age-adjusted weekly mortality rates for March 2020 to December 2021 were compared with the preceding 5 years. Results From March 2020 to December 2021, there was an 11% excess mortality rate, corresponding to an average of 265 monthly excess deaths (maximum >30%). COVID-19-related deaths (n=3202) accounted for 54.9% of total excess deaths (n=5833) that occurred in the 22-month period. The increase in all-cause excess deaths was proportionately higher, and with significantly greater numbers, in younger age groups. Significant increases in monthly drug poisoning deaths occurred from March 2020 to April 2021, with a total of 1819 deaths. Eight hundred and 25 excess drug poisoning deaths, representing 25.4% of total all-cause excess deaths, occurred, mainly among those aged 25-60 years. Overall, 54.9% of all excess deaths were directly related to COVID-19 and 25.4% were related to drug poisoning. Conclusions There was a significant increase in all-cause mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although older adults are more likely to die of COVID-19, a massive increase in non-COVID-19-related mortality was observed among younger people. These factors should be considered in public policy decisions on epidemic/pandemic management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Beesoon
- Surgery Strategic Clinical Network, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jeffrey A. Bakal
- Provincial Research Data Services, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Data and Research Services, Alberta SPOR SUPPORT Unit, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Erik Youngson
- Provincial Research Data Services, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Data and Research Services, Alberta SPOR SUPPORT Unit, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kienan P. Williams
- Indigenous Wellness Core, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sandra A. Berzins
- Surgery Strategic Clinical Network, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Departments of Psychiatry and Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Mathison Centre for Mental Health Education and Research, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Mary E. Brindle
- Surgery Strategic Clinical Network, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - A. Mark Joffe
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Cancer Care Alberta, Clinical Support Services and Provincial Clinical Excellence, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
van Ingen T, Brown KA, Buchan SA, Akingbola S, Daneman N, Warren CM, Smith BT. Neighbourhood-level socio-demographic characteristics and risk of COVID-19 incidence and mortality in Ontario, Canada: A population-based study. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0276507. [PMID: 36264984 PMCID: PMC9584389 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We aimed to estimate associations between COVID-19 incidence and mortality with neighbourhood-level immigration, race, housing, and socio-economic characteristics. METHODS We conducted a population-based study of 28,808 COVID-19 cases in the provincial reportable infectious disease surveillance systems (Public Health Case and Contact Management System) which includes all known COVID-19 infections and deaths from Ontario, Canada reported between January 23, 2020 and July 28, 2020. Residents of congregate settings, Indigenous communities living on reserves or small neighbourhoods with populations <1,000 were excluded. Comparing neighbourhoods in the 90th to the 10th percentiles of socio-demographic characteristics, we estimated the associations between 18 neighbourhood-level measures of immigration, race, housing and socio-economic characteristics and COVID-19 incidence and mortality using Poisson generalized linear mixed models. RESULTS Neighbourhoods with the highest proportion of immigrants (relative risk (RR): 4.0, 95%CI:3.5-4.5) and visible minority residents (RR: 3.3, 95%CI:2.9-3.7) showed the strongest association with COVID-19 incidence in adjusted models. Among individual race groups, COVID-19 incidence was highest among neighbourhoods with the high proportions of Black (RR: 2.4, 95%CI:2.2-2.6), South Asian (RR: 1.9, 95%CI:1.8-2.1), Latin American (RR: 1.8, 95%CI:1.6-2.0) and Middle Eastern (RR: 1.2, 95%CI:1.1-1.3) residents. Neighbourhoods with the highest average household size (RR: 1.9, 95%CI:1.7-2.1), proportion of multigenerational families (RR: 1.8, 95%CI:1.7-2.0) and unsuitably crowded housing (RR: 2.1, 95%CI:2.0-2.3) were associated with COVID-19 incidence. Neighbourhoods with the highest proportion of residents with less than high school education (RR: 1.6, 95%CI:1.4-1.8), low income (RR: 1.4, 95%CI:1.2-1.5) and unaffordable housing (RR: 1.6, 95%CI:1.4-1.8) were associated with COVID-19 incidence. Similar inequities were observed across neighbourhood-level sociodemographic characteristics and COVID-19 mortality. CONCLUSIONS Neighbourhood-level inequities in COVID-19 incidence and mortality were observed in Ontario, with excess burden experienced in neighbourhoods with a higher proportion of immigrants, racialized populations, large households and low socio-economic status.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kevin A. Brown
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sarah A. Buchan
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Nick Daneman
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Brendan T. Smith
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Vink M, Iglói Z, Fanoy EB, van Beek J, Boelsums T, de Graaf M, Voeten HACM, Molenkamp R, Koopmans MP, Mevissen FE. Community-based SARS-CoV-2 testing in low-income neighbourhoods in Rotterdam: Results from a pilot study. J Glob Health 2022; 12:05042. [PMID: 36181719 PMCID: PMC9526478 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.12.05042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background High incidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and low testing uptake were reported in low-income neighbourhoods in Rotterdam. We aimed to improve willingness and access to testing by introducing community-based test facilities, and to evaluate the effectiveness of a rapid antigen detection test (RDT). Methods Two to eleven test facilities operated consecutively in three low-income neighbourhoods in Rotterdam, offering the options of walk-in or appointments. Background characteristics were collected at intake and one nasopharyngeal swab was taken and processed using both RDT and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Visitors were asked to join a survey for evaluation purposes. Results In total, 19 773 visitors were tested - 9662 (48.9%) without an appointment. Walk-in visitors were older, lived more often in the proximity of the test facilities, and reported coronavirus disease (COVID-19)-related symptoms less often than by-appointment visitors. For 67.7% of the visitors, this was the first time they got tested. A total of 1211 (6.1%) tested SARS-CoV-2-positive with RT-PCR, of whom 309 (25.5%) were asymptomatic. Test uptake increased among residents of the pilot neighbourhoods, especially in the older age groups, compared to people living in comparable neighbourhoods without community-based testing facilities. RDT detected asymptomatic individuals with 71.8% sensitivity, which was acceptable in this high prevalence setting. Visitors reported positive attitudes towards the test facilities and welcomed the easy access. Conclusions Offering community-based SARS-CoV-2 testing seems a promising approach for increasing testing uptake among specific populations in low-income neighbourhoods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martijn Vink
- Public Health Service (GGD) Rotterdam-Rijnmond, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Zsófia Iglói
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ewout B Fanoy
- Public Health Service (GGD) Rotterdam-Rijnmond, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Janko van Beek
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Timo Boelsums
- Public Health Service (GGD) Rotterdam-Rijnmond, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Miranda de Graaf
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Eder L, Croxford R, Drucker AM, Mendel A, Kuriya B, Touma Z, Johnson SR, Cook R, Bernatsky S, Haroon N, Widdifield J. Understanding COVID-19 Risk in Patients With Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases: A Population-Based Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Testing. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2022; 75:317-325. [PMID: 34486829 PMCID: PMC8653048 DOI: 10.1002/acr.24781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the incidence of and factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 testing and infection in immune-mediated inflammatory disease (IMID) patients versus matched non-IMID comparators from the general population. METHODS We conducted a population-based, matched cohort study among adult residents from Ontario, Canada, from January 2020 to December 2020. We created cohorts for the following IMIDs: rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases, multiple sclerosis (MS), iritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), polymyalgia rheumatica, and vasculitis. Each patient was matched with 5 patients without IMIDs based on sociodemographic factors. We estimated the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 testing and infection in IMID patients and non-IMID patients. Multivariable logistic regressions assessed odds of SARS-CoV-2 infection. RESULTS We studied 493,499 patients with IMIDs and 2,466,946 patients without IMIDs. Patients with IMIDs were more likely to have at least 1 SARS-CoV-2 test versus patients without IMIDs (27.4% versus 22.7%), but the proportion testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 was identical (0.9% in both groups). Overall, IMID patients had 20% higher odds of being tested for SARS-CoV-2 (odds ratio 1.20 [95% confidence interval 1.19-1.21]). The odds of SARS-CoV-2 infection varied across IMID groups but was not significantly elevated for most IMID groups compared with non-IMID comparators. The odds of SARS-CoV-2 infection was lower in IBD and MS and marginally higher in RA and iritis. CONCLUSION Patients across all IMIDs were more likely to be tested for SARS-CoV-2 versus those without IMIDs. The risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection varied across disease subgroups.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lihi Eder
- University of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
| | | | | | | | - Bindee Kuriya
- Sinai Health System, University of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Zahi Touma
- Toronto Western Hospital, University of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Sindhu R. Johnson
- Toronto Western Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
| | | | | | - Nigil Haroon
- Schroeder Arthritis Institute, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto Western Hospital, University of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Jessica Widdifield
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, ICES, University of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Arias-Uriona AM, Pérez E, Llanos J, Cuellar R, Galarza PY. [Social determinants associated with self-reporting of symptoms and access to COVID-19 testing and diagnosis in the Plurinational State of BoliviaDeterminantes sociais associados ao autorrelato de sintomas, acesso a testagem e diagnóstico de COVID-19 no Estado Plurinacional da Bolívia]. Rev Panam Salud Publica 2022; 46:e114. [PMID: 36177303 PMCID: PMC9512684 DOI: 10.26633/rpsp.2022.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To identify the prevalence of self-reporting of symptoms and access to testing and diagnosis of coronavirus-19 disease (COVID-19), as well as its association with social determinants of health (SDH). Methods Cross-sectional study with a sample of 11 728 men and 12 612 women over the age of 17, based on the National Household Survey 2020. The dependent variables were the self-reporting of symptoms, access to testing, and a positive COVID-19 test. The independent variables were age, educational level, area of residence and geographic area, ethnicity, type of household, income per capita, occupation, and health insurance. Prevalences, bivariate associations, and binomial logistical regression models (odds ratio (OR), and 95% confidence interval (CI95%) were calculated. Results Of the total individuals included, 16% reported symptoms, 10% a test, and 4.2% a positive COVID-19 test. Inequalities were observed in the reporting of COVID-19 symptoms, with a higher probability in women whose income had fallen (OR: 1.7; CI95%: 1.2-2.4) and unemployed persons (OR: 1.2; CI95%: 1.1-1.4 for men and OR: 1.3; CI95%: 1.5-1.5 for women). In contrast, with respect to access to diagnostic tests, the highest probability was observed in people with higher education (OR: 2.4; CI95%: 1.9-2.9 for men and OR: 2.7; CI95%: 2.2-3.4 for women), whose income was maintained (OR: 1.5; CI95%: 1.3-1.9 for men and OR: 1.7; CI95%: 1.4-2.0 for women) and those in the highest quartile of per capita household income (OR: 2.0; CI95%: 1.6-2.5 for men and OR: 1.6; CI95%: 1.3-2.0 for women). The probability of reporting symptoms and getting tested, and being diagnosed with COVID-19 increased with age for people with health insurance and those living in the llanos region; however, it decreased for residents of rural areas. Conclusions There are inequalities in access to testing and the reporting of COVID-19 symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana M. Arias-Uriona
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias del Comportamiento (IICC)Universidad Católica Boliviana San PabloLa PazEstado Plurinacional de BoliviaInstituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias del Comportamiento (IICC), Universidad Católica Boliviana San Pablo, La Paz, Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia.
| | - Esdenka Pérez
- Universidad Católica Boliviana San PabloLa PazEstado Plurinacional de BoliviaUniversidad Católica Boliviana San Pablo, La Paz, Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia
| | - Javier Llanos
- Universidad Católica Boliviana San PabloLa PazEstado Plurinacional de BoliviaUniversidad Católica Boliviana San Pablo, La Paz, Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia
| | - Rafael Cuellar
- Universidad Católica Boliviana San PabloLa PazEstado Plurinacional de BoliviaUniversidad Católica Boliviana San Pablo, La Paz, Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia
| | - Pamela Y. Galarza
- Universidad Católica Boliviana San PabloLa PazEstado Plurinacional de BoliviaUniversidad Católica Boliviana San Pablo, La Paz, Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Passos-Castilho AM, Labbé AC, Barkati S, Luong ML, Dagher O, Maynard N, Tutt-Guérette MA, Kierans J, Rousseau C, Benedetti A, Azoulay L, Greenaway C. Outcomes of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Canada: impact of ethnicity, migration status and country of birth. J Travel Med 2022; 29:6567954. [PMID: 35417000 PMCID: PMC9047205 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taac041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ethnoracial groups in high-income countries have a 2-fold higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, associated hospitalizations, and mortality than Whites. Migrants are an ethnoracial subset that may have worse COVID-19 outcomes due to additional barriers accessing care, but there are limited data on in-hospital outcomes. We aimed to disaggregate and compare COVID-19 associated hospital outcomes by ethnicity, immigrant status and region of birth. METHODS Adults with community-acquired SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalized March 1-June 30, 2020, at four hospitals in Montréal, Quebec, Canada, were included. Age, sex, socioeconomic status, comorbidities, migration status, region of birth, self-identified ethnicity [White, Black, Asian, Latino, Middle East/North African], intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and mortality were collected. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) for ICU admission and mortality by immigrant status, ethnicity and region of birth adjusted for age, sex, socioeconomic status and comorbidities were estimated using Fine and Gray competing risk models. RESULTS Of 1104 patients (median [IQR] age, 63.0 [51.0-76.0] years; 56% males), 57% were immigrants and 54% were White. Immigrants were slightly younger (62 vs 65 years; p = 0.050), had fewer comorbidities (1.0 vs 1.2; p < 0.001), similar crude ICU admissions rates (33.0% vs 28.2%) and lower mortality (13.3% vs 17.6%; p < 0.001) than Canadian-born. In adjusted models, Blacks (aHR 1.39, 95% confidence interval 1.05-1.83) and Asians (1.64, 1.15-2.34) were at higher risk of ICU admission than Whites, but there was significant heterogeneity within ethnic groups. Asians from Eastern Asia/Pacific (2.15, 1.42-3.24) but not Southern Asia (0.97, 0.49-1.93) and Caribbean Blacks (1.39, 1.02-1.89) but not SSA Blacks (1.37, 0.86-2.18) had a higher risk of ICU admission. Blacks had a higher risk of mortality (aHR 1.56, p = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS Data disaggregated by region of birth identified subgroups of immigrants at increased risk of COVID-19 ICU admission, providing more actionable data for health policymakers to address health inequities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Maria Passos-Castilho
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Annie-Claude Labbé
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, CIUSSS de l'Est-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sapha Barkati
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Center (MUHC), McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Me-Linh Luong
- Department of Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectiology, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM), Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Olina Dagher
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Noémie Maynard
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - James Kierans
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Cecile Rousseau
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University Health Center, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,SHERPA University Institute, CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Andrea Benedetti
- SHERPA University Institute, CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Laurent Azoulay
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Departments of Medicine and Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Christina Greenaway
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Departments of Medicine and Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Division of Infectious Disease, Jewish General Hospital, 3755 Côte St. Catherine Road, Room G-200, Montreal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Darwish I, Harrison LB, Passos-Castilho AM, Labbé AC, Barkati S, Luong ML, Kong LY, Tutt-Guérette MA, Kierans J, Rousseau C, Benedetti A, Azoulay L, Greenaway C. In-hospital outcomes of SARS-CoV-2-infected health care workers in the COVID-19 pandemic first wave, Quebec, Canada. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0272953. [PMID: 36001588 PMCID: PMC9401164 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Health care workers (HCW), particularly immigrants and ethnic minorities are at increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Outcomes during a COVID-19 associated hospitalization are not well described among HCW. We aimed to describe the characteristics of HCW admitted with COVID-19 including immigrant status and ethnicity and the associated risk factors for Intensive Care unit (ICU) admission and death.
Methods
Adults with laboratory-confirmed community-acquired COVID-19 hospitalized from March 1 to June 30, 2020, at four tertiary-care hospitals in Montréal, Canada were included. Demographics, comorbidities, occupation, immigration status, country of birth, ethnicity, workplace exposures, and hospital outcomes (ICU admission and death) were obtained through a chart review and phone survey. A Fine and Gray competing risk proportional hazards model was used to estimate the risk of ICU admission among HCW stratified by immigrant status and region of birth.
Results
Among 1104 included persons, 150 (14%) were HCW, with a phone survey participation rate of 68%. HCWs were younger (50 vs 64 years; p<0.001), more likely to be female (61% vs 41%; p<0.001), migrants (68% vs 55%; p<0.01), non-White (65% vs 41%; p<0.001) and healthier (mean Charlson Comorbidity Index of 0.3 vs 1.2; p<0.001) compared to non-HCW. They were as likely to be admitted to the ICU (28% vs 31%; p = 0.40) but were less likely to die (4% vs. 17%; p<0.001). Immigrant HCW accounted for 68% of all HCW cases and, compared to Canadian HCW, were more likely to be personal support workers (PSW) (54% vs. 33%, p<0.01), to be Black (58% vs 4%) and to work in a Residential Care Facility (RCF) (59% vs 33%; p = 0.05). Most HCW believed that they were exposed at work, 55% did not always have access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and 40% did not receive COVID-19-specific Infection Control (IPAC) training.
Conclusion
Immigrant HCW were particularly exposed to COVID-19 infection in the first wave of the pandemic in Quebec. Despite being young and healthy, one third of all HCW required ICU admission, highlighting the importance of preventing workplace transmission through strong infection prevention and control measures, including high COVID-19 vaccination coverage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ilyse Darwish
- Division of Infectious Diseases, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Luke B. Harrison
- Division of Infectious Diseases, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Ana Maria Passos-Castilho
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Annie-Claude Labbé
- Department of Medicine & Division of Infectious Diseases, Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, CIUSSS de l’Est-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Département des Laboratoires de Biologie Médicale, Grappe Optilab-CHUM, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM), Montreal, Canada
| | - Sapha Barkati
- Department of Medicine & Division of Infectious Diseases, McGill University Health Center (MUHC), McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Me-Linh Luong
- Department of Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Département des Laboratoires de Biologie Médicale, Grappe Optilab-CHUM, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM), Montreal, Canada
- Department of Medicine & Division of Infectious Diseases CHUM, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Ling Yuan Kong
- Department of Medicine & Division of Infectious Diseases, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Marc-Antoine Tutt-Guérette
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - James Kierans
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Cécile Rousseau
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University Health Center, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- SHERPA University Institute, CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Andrea Benedetti
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Laurent Azoulay
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Christina Greenaway
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Medicine & Division of Infectious Diseases, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Cheung DC, Bremner KE, Tsui TCO, Croxford R, Lapointe-Shaw L, Giudice LD, Mendlowitz A, Perlis N, Pataky RE, Teckle P, Zeitouny S, Wong WWL, Sander B, Peacock S, Krahn MD, Kulkarni GS, Mulder C. "Bring the Hoses to Where the Fire Is!": Differential Impacts of Marginalization and Socioeconomic Status on COVID-19 Case Counts and Healthcare Costs. VALUE IN HEALTH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR PHARMACOECONOMICS AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2022; 25:1307-1316. [PMID: 35527165 PMCID: PMC9072854 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2022.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Local health leaders and the Director General of the World Health Organization alike have observed that COVID-19 "does not discriminate." Nevertheless, the disproportionate representation of people of low socioeconomic status among those infected resembles discrimination. This population-based retrospective cohort study examined COVID-19 case counts and publicly funded healthcare costs in Ontario, Canada, with a focus on marginalization. METHODS Individuals with their first positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 test from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020, were linked to administrative databases and matched to negative/untested controls. Mean net (COVID-19-attributable) costs were estimated for 30 days before and after diagnosis, and differences among strata of age, sex, comorbidity, and measures of marginalization were assessed using analysis of variance tests. RESULTS We included 28 893 COVID-19 cases (mean age 54 years, 56% female). Most cases remained in the community (20 545, 71.1%) or in long-term care facilities (4478, 15.5%), whereas 944 (3.3%) and 2926 (10.1%) were hospitalized, with and without intensive care unit, respectively. Case counts were skewed across marginalization strata with 2 to 7 times more cases in neighborhoods with low income, high material deprivation, and highest ethnic concentration. Mean net costs after diagnosis were higher for males ($4752 vs $2520 for females) and for cases with higher comorbidity ($1394-$7751) (both P < .001) but were similar across levels of most marginalization dimensions (range $3232-$3737, all P ≥ .19). CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that allocating resources unequally to marginalized individuals may improve equality in outcomes. It highlights the importance of reducing risk of COVID-19 infection among marginalized individuals to reduce overall costs and increase system capacity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Douglas C Cheung
- Toronto Health Economics and Technology Assessment (THETA) Collaborative, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Karen E Bremner
- Toronto Health Economics and Technology Assessment (THETA) Collaborative, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Teresa C O Tsui
- Toronto Health Economics and Technology Assessment (THETA) Collaborative, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Lauren Lapointe-Shaw
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; General Internal Medicine, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lisa Del Giudice
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Family and Community Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew Mendlowitz
- Toronto Health Economics and Technology Assessment (THETA) Collaborative, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nathan Perlis
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Reka E Pataky
- Canadian Centre for Applied Research in Cancer Control, BC Cancer, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Paulos Teckle
- Canadian Centre for Applied Research in Cancer Control, BC Cancer, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Seraphine Zeitouny
- Canadian Centre for Applied Research in Cancer Control, BC Cancer, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Centre for Health Services and Policy Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - William W L Wong
- Toronto Health Economics and Technology Assessment (THETA) Collaborative, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
| | - Beate Sander
- Toronto Health Economics and Technology Assessment (THETA) Collaborative, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stuart Peacock
- Canadian Centre for Applied Research in Cancer Control, BC Cancer, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Murray D Krahn
- Toronto Health Economics and Technology Assessment (THETA) Collaborative, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; General Internal Medicine, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Girish S Kulkarni
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carol Mulder
- Chiefs of Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Kaida A, Brotto LA, Murray MCM, Côté HCF, Albert AY, Nicholson V, Gormley R, Gordon S, Booth A, Smith LW, Baaske A, Galea LAM, Sadarangani M, Ogilvie GS. Intention to Receive a COVID-19 Vaccine by HIV Status Among a Population-Based Sample of Women and Gender Diverse Individuals in British Columbia, Canada. AIDS Behav 2022; 26:2242-2255. [PMID: 35020094 PMCID: PMC8753016 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03577-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for people living with HIV (PLWH), among whom social inequities and co-morbidities may drive risks of COVID-19 infection and outcome severity. Among a provincial (British Columbia) sample, we determined the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine intention by HIV status and assessed socio-demographic, vaccine hesitancy, and psychological predictors of vaccine intention. Individuals (25-69 years) recruited from province-wide research cohorts and the general public completed an online survey examining COVID-19 impacts (August/2020-March/2021). In an analysis restricted to women and gender diverse participants (n = 5588), we compared intention to receive a recommended COVID-19 vaccine (Very likely/Likely vs Neutral/Unlikely/Very Unlikely) by self-reported HIV status. Logistic regression models assessed the independent effect of HIV status and other factors on COVID-19 vaccine intention. Of 5588 participants, 69 (1.2%) were living with HIV, of whom 79.7% were on antiretroviral therapy. In bivariate analyses, intention to vaccinate was significantly lower among PLWH compared to participants not living with HIV (65.2% vs 79.6%; OR 0.44; 95%CI 0.32-0.60). However, this association was not statistically significant after adjustment for ethnicity, income, education, and essential worker status (aOR 0.85; 95%CI 0.48-1.55). Among PLWH, those with greater vaccine confidence, positive attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccine, and more strongly influenced by direct and indirect social norms to vaccinate had significantly higher odds of vaccine intention. Tailored messaging is needed to build vaccine confidence, address questions about vaccine benefits, and support informed vaccination decision-making to promote COVID-19 vaccine uptake among women and gender diverse people living with HIV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angela Kaida
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University (SFU), Burnaby, BC, Canada.
- Women's Health Research Institute (WHRI), Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Lori A Brotto
- Women's Health Research Institute (WHRI), Vancouver, BC, Canada
- University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Melanie C M Murray
- Women's Health Research Institute (WHRI), Vancouver, BC, Canada
- University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Oak Tree Clinic, BC Women's Hospital and Health Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hélène C F Côté
- Women's Health Research Institute (WHRI), Vancouver, BC, Canada
- University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Valerie Nicholson
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University (SFU), Burnaby, BC, Canada
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Rebecca Gormley
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University (SFU), Burnaby, BC, Canada
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Shanlea Gordon
- Women's Health Research Institute (WHRI), Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Amy Booth
- Women's Health Research Institute (WHRI), Vancouver, BC, Canada
- University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Laurie W Smith
- Women's Health Research Institute (WHRI), Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Cancer Control Research, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ally Baaske
- Women's Health Research Institute (WHRI), Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Liisa A M Galea
- Women's Health Research Institute (WHRI), Vancouver, BC, Canada
- University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Manish Sadarangani
- University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Gina S Ogilvie
- Women's Health Research Institute (WHRI), Vancouver, BC, Canada
- University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC, Canada
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Udell JA, Behrouzi B, Sivaswamy A, Chu A, Ferreira-Legere LE, Fang J, Goodman SG, Ezekowitz JA, Bainey KR, van Diepen S, Kaul P, McAlister FA, Bogoch II, Jackevicius CA, Abdel-Qadir H, Wijeysundera HC, Ko DT, Austin PC, Lee DS. Clinical risk, sociodemographic factors, and SARS-CoV-2 infection over time in Ontario, Canada. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10534. [PMID: 35750706 PMCID: PMC9232511 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13598-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
We aimed to determine whether early public health interventions in 2020 mitigated the association of sociodemographic and clinical risk factors with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. We conducted a population-based cohort study of all adults in Ontario, Canada who underwent testing for SARS-CoV-2 through December 31, 2020. The outcome was laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction testing. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were determined for sociodemographic and clinical risk factors before and after the first-wave peak of the pandemic to assess for changes in effect sizes. Among 3,167,753 community-dwelling individuals, 142,814 (4.5%) tested positive. The association between age and SARS-CoV-2 infection risk varied over time (P-interaction < 0.0001). Prior to the first-wave peak, SARS-CoV-2 infection increased with age whereas this association reversed thereafter. Risk factors that persisted included male sex, residing in lower income neighborhoods, residing in more racially/ethnically diverse communities, immigration to Canada, hypertension, and diabetes. While there was a reduction in infection rates after mid-April 2020, there was less impact in regions with higher racial/ethnic diversity. Immediately following the initial peak, individuals living in the most racially/ethnically diverse communities with 2, 3, or ≥ 4 risk factors had ORs of 1.89, 3.07, and 4.73-fold higher for SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to lower risk individuals in their community (all P < 0.0001). In the latter half of 2020, this disparity persisted with corresponding ORs of 1.66, 2.48, and 3.70-fold higher, respectively. In the least racially/ethnically diverse communities, there was little/no gradient in infection rates across risk strata. Further efforts are necessary to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among the highest risk individuals residing in the most racially/ethnically diverse communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacob A Udell
- ICES, Toronto, Canada. .,Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Canada. .,Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada. .,Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. .,Department of Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Bahar Behrouzi
- ICES, Toronto, Canada.,Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | - Shaun G Goodman
- Department of Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Division of Cardiology, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada.,Canadian VIGOUR Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Justin A Ezekowitz
- Canadian VIGOUR Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.,Department of Critical Care Medicine and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Kevin R Bainey
- Canadian VIGOUR Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.,Department of Critical Care Medicine and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Sean van Diepen
- Canadian VIGOUR Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.,Department of Critical Care Medicine and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Padma Kaul
- Canadian VIGOUR Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.,Department of Critical Care Medicine and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Finlay A McAlister
- Canadian VIGOUR Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.,Department of Critical Care Medicine and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Isaac I Bogoch
- Department of Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Divisions of General Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Cynthia A Jackevicius
- ICES, Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA
| | - Husam Abdel-Qadir
- ICES, Toronto, Canada.,Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Canada.,Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Harindra C Wijeysundera
- ICES, Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Schulich Heart Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
| | - Dennis T Ko
- ICES, Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Schulich Heart Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
| | - Peter C Austin
- ICES, Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Douglas S Lee
- ICES, Toronto, Canada.,Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Abda A, del Giorgio F, Gauvin L, Autmizguine J, Kakkar F, Drouin O. Association between area-level material deprivation and incidence of hospitalization among children with SARS-CoV-2 in Montreal. Paediatr Child Health 2022; 27:S27-S32. [PMID: 35620560 PMCID: PMC9126283 DOI: 10.1093/pch/pxab106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although sociodemographic factors have been linked with SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospitalizations in adults, there are little data on the association between sociodemographic characteristics and SARS-CoV-2-related hospitalization in children. The objective of this study was to determine the association between area-level material deprivation and incidence of hospitalization with SARS-CoV-2 among children. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all children (0 to 17 years of age) with a PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection March 1, 2020 through May 31, 2021 at a tertiary-care paediatric hospital, in Montreal, Canada. Data were collected through chart review and included age, sex, and postal code, allowing linkage to dissemination area-level material deprivation, measured with the Pampalon Material Deprivation Index (PMDI) quintiles. We examined the association between PMDI quintiles and hospitalization using Poisson regression. Results During the study period, 964 children had a positive PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 test and 124 were hospitalized. Children living in the most deprived quintile of PMDI represented 40.7% of hospitalizations. Incidence rate ratio of hospitalization for this group compared to the most privileged quintile was 2.42 (95%CI: 1.33; 4.41). Conclusion Children living in the most materially deprived areas had more than twice the rate of hospitalizations for COVID-19 than children living in most privileged areas. Special efforts should be deployed to protect children who live in disadvantaged areas, especially pending vaccination of younger children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Assil Abda
- Department of Pediatrics, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Francesca del Giorgio
- Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Lise Gauvin
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Julie Autmizguine
- Department of Pediatrics, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Fatima Kakkar
- Department of Pediatrics, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Olivier Drouin
- Department of Pediatrics, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Abda A, del Giorgio F, Gauvin L, Autmizguine J, Kakkar F, Drouin O. L’association entre la défavorisation matérielle par quartier et l’incidence d’hospitalisation chez les enfants infectés par le SRAS-CoV-2 à Montréal. Paediatr Child Health 2022; 27:S108-S114. [PMID: 36092292 PMCID: PMC9384184 DOI: 10.1093/pch/pxac015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Historique Même si les facteurs sociodémographiques sont liés à l’infection par le SRAS-CoV-2 et aux hospitalisations chez les adultes, peu de données portent sur l’association entre ces caractéristiques et les hospitalisations attribuables au SRAS-CoV-2 chez les enfants. La présente étude visait à déterminer l’association entre la défavorisation matérielle par quartier et l’incidence d’hospitalisations à cause du SRAS-CoV-2 chez les enfants. Méthodologie Les chercheurs ont réalisé une étude de cohorte rétrospective de tous les enfants (de 0 à 17 ans) atteints d’une infection par le SRAS-CoV-2 confirmée par un test d’amplification en chaîne par polymérase après transcription inverse (PCR) entre le 1er mars et le 31 mai 2021 dans un hôpital pédiatrique de soins tertiaires de Montréal, au Canada. Ils ont colligé les données par examen des dossiers et ont inclus l’âge, le sexe et les codes postaux, afin de pouvoir lier la défavorisation matérielle à l’échelle de l’aire de diffusion, mesurée au moyen des quintiles de l’indice de défavorisation matérielle de Pampalon. Ils ont examiné l’association entre les quintiles de cet indice et les hospitalisations à l’aide de la régression de Poisson. Résultats Pendant la période de l’étude, 964 enfants ont reçu un résultat positif au SRAS-CoV-2 confirmé par un test PCR, et 124 d’entre eux ont été hospitalisés. Au total, 40,7 % des enfants hospitalisés habitaient dans le quintile le plus défavorisé d’après l’indice de défavorisation matérielle de Pampalon. Le rapport du taux d’incidence des hospitalisations dans ce groupe était de 2,42 (intervalle de confiance à 95 % : 1,33; 4,41) par rapport au quintile le plus privilégié. Conclusion Plus du double des enfants qui habitaient dans les quartiers les plus défavorisés sur le plan matériel étaient hospitalisés à cause de la COVID-19 par rapport à ceux qui habitaient dans les quartiers les plus privilégiés. Il faudrait déployer des efforts particuliers pour protéger les enfants qui habitent dans des quartiers défavorisés, particulièrement dans l’attente de la vaccination des plus jeunes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Assil Abda
- Département de pédiatrie, Université de Montréal , Montréal (Québec) Canada
| | - Francesca del Giorgio
- Faculté de médecine, Université McGill , Montréal (Québec) Canada
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine , Montréal (Québec) Canada
| | - Lise Gauvin
- Département de médecine sociale et préventive, École de santé publique, Université de Montréal , Montréal (Québec) Canada
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal , Montréal (Québec) Canada
| | - Julie Autmizguine
- Département de pédiatrie, Université de Montréal , Montréal (Québec) Canada
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine , Montréal (Québec) Canada
- Département de pharmacologie et de physiologie, faculté de médecine, Université de Montréal , Montréal (Québec) Canada
| | - Fatima Kakkar
- Département de pédiatrie, Université de Montréal , Montréal (Québec) Canada
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine , Montréal (Québec) Canada
- Service d’infectiologie, département de pédiatrie, Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine , Montréal (Québec) Canada
| | - Olivier Drouin
- Département de pédiatrie, Université de Montréal , Montréal (Québec) Canada
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine , Montréal (Québec) Canada
- Département de médecine sociale et préventive, École de santé publique, Université de Montréal , Montréal (Québec) Canada
- Service de pédiatrie générale, département de pédiatrie, Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine , Montréal (Québec) Canada
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Chen C, Wang J, Kwong J, Kim J, van Donkelaar A, Martin RV, Hystad P, Su Y, Lavigne E, Kirby-McGregor M, Kaufman JS, Benmarhnia T, Chen H. Association between long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and COVID-19 severity: a prospective cohort study. CMAJ 2022; 194:E693-E700. [PMID: 35609912 PMCID: PMC9188786 DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.220068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The tremendous global health burden related to COVID-19 means that identifying determinants of COVID-19 severity is important for prevention and intervention. We aimed to explore long-term exposure to ambient air pollution as a potential contributor to COVID-19 severity, given its known impact on the respiratory system. Methods: We used a cohort of all people with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, aged 20 years and older and not residing in a long-term care facility in Ontario, Canada, during 2020. We evaluated the association between long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ground-level ozone (O3), and risk of COVID-19-related hospital admission, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and death. We ascertained individuals’ long-term exposures to each air pollutant based on their residence from 2015 to 2019. We used logistic regression and adjusted for confounders and selection bias using various individual and contextual covariates obtained through data linkage. Results: Among the 151 105 people with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in Ontario in 2020, we observed 8630 hospital admissions, 1912 ICU admissions and 2137 deaths related to COVID-19. For each interquartile range increase in exposure to PM2.5 (1.70 μg/m3), we estimated odds ratios of 1.06 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.12), 1.09 (95% CI 0.98–1.21) and 1.00 (95% CI 0.90–1.11) for hospital admission, ICU admission and death, respectively. Estimates were smaller for NO2. We also estimated odds ratios of 1.15 (95% CI 1.06–1.23), 1.30 (95% CI 1.12–1.50) and 1.18 (95% CI 1.02–1.36) per interquartile range increase of 5.14 ppb in O3 for hospital admission, ICU admission and death, respectively. Interpretation: Chronic exposure to air pollution may contribute to severe outcomes after SARS-CoV-2 infection, particularly exposure to O3.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chen Chen
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography (C. Chen, Benmarhnia), University of California San Diego, La Jolla, Calif.; Public Health Ontario (Wang, Kwong, Kim, H. Chen); ICES Central (Kwong, H. Chen); Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Kwong, Kim, H. Chen), and Department of Family and Community Medicine (Kwong), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Energy, Environmental, and Chemical Engineering (van Donkelaar, Martin), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Mo.; College of Public Health and Human Studies (Hystad), Oregon State University, Corvallis, Ore.; Ontario Ministry of the Environment (Su), Conservation and Parks, Toronto, Ont.; Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau (Lavigne, H. Chen), Health Canada, Ottawa, Ont.; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Occupational Health (Kirby-McGregor, Kaufman), McGill University, Montréal, Que.
| | - John Wang
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography (C. Chen, Benmarhnia), University of California San Diego, La Jolla, Calif.; Public Health Ontario (Wang, Kwong, Kim, H. Chen); ICES Central (Kwong, H. Chen); Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Kwong, Kim, H. Chen), and Department of Family and Community Medicine (Kwong), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Energy, Environmental, and Chemical Engineering (van Donkelaar, Martin), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Mo.; College of Public Health and Human Studies (Hystad), Oregon State University, Corvallis, Ore.; Ontario Ministry of the Environment (Su), Conservation and Parks, Toronto, Ont.; Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau (Lavigne, H. Chen), Health Canada, Ottawa, Ont.; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Occupational Health (Kirby-McGregor, Kaufman), McGill University, Montréal, Que
| | - Jeff Kwong
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography (C. Chen, Benmarhnia), University of California San Diego, La Jolla, Calif.; Public Health Ontario (Wang, Kwong, Kim, H. Chen); ICES Central (Kwong, H. Chen); Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Kwong, Kim, H. Chen), and Department of Family and Community Medicine (Kwong), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Energy, Environmental, and Chemical Engineering (van Donkelaar, Martin), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Mo.; College of Public Health and Human Studies (Hystad), Oregon State University, Corvallis, Ore.; Ontario Ministry of the Environment (Su), Conservation and Parks, Toronto, Ont.; Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau (Lavigne, H. Chen), Health Canada, Ottawa, Ont.; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Occupational Health (Kirby-McGregor, Kaufman), McGill University, Montréal, Que
| | - JinHee Kim
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography (C. Chen, Benmarhnia), University of California San Diego, La Jolla, Calif.; Public Health Ontario (Wang, Kwong, Kim, H. Chen); ICES Central (Kwong, H. Chen); Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Kwong, Kim, H. Chen), and Department of Family and Community Medicine (Kwong), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Energy, Environmental, and Chemical Engineering (van Donkelaar, Martin), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Mo.; College of Public Health and Human Studies (Hystad), Oregon State University, Corvallis, Ore.; Ontario Ministry of the Environment (Su), Conservation and Parks, Toronto, Ont.; Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau (Lavigne, H. Chen), Health Canada, Ottawa, Ont.; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Occupational Health (Kirby-McGregor, Kaufman), McGill University, Montréal, Que
| | - Aaron van Donkelaar
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography (C. Chen, Benmarhnia), University of California San Diego, La Jolla, Calif.; Public Health Ontario (Wang, Kwong, Kim, H. Chen); ICES Central (Kwong, H. Chen); Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Kwong, Kim, H. Chen), and Department of Family and Community Medicine (Kwong), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Energy, Environmental, and Chemical Engineering (van Donkelaar, Martin), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Mo.; College of Public Health and Human Studies (Hystad), Oregon State University, Corvallis, Ore.; Ontario Ministry of the Environment (Su), Conservation and Parks, Toronto, Ont.; Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau (Lavigne, H. Chen), Health Canada, Ottawa, Ont.; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Occupational Health (Kirby-McGregor, Kaufman), McGill University, Montréal, Que
| | - Randall V Martin
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography (C. Chen, Benmarhnia), University of California San Diego, La Jolla, Calif.; Public Health Ontario (Wang, Kwong, Kim, H. Chen); ICES Central (Kwong, H. Chen); Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Kwong, Kim, H. Chen), and Department of Family and Community Medicine (Kwong), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Energy, Environmental, and Chemical Engineering (van Donkelaar, Martin), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Mo.; College of Public Health and Human Studies (Hystad), Oregon State University, Corvallis, Ore.; Ontario Ministry of the Environment (Su), Conservation and Parks, Toronto, Ont.; Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau (Lavigne, H. Chen), Health Canada, Ottawa, Ont.; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Occupational Health (Kirby-McGregor, Kaufman), McGill University, Montréal, Que
| | - Perry Hystad
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography (C. Chen, Benmarhnia), University of California San Diego, La Jolla, Calif.; Public Health Ontario (Wang, Kwong, Kim, H. Chen); ICES Central (Kwong, H. Chen); Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Kwong, Kim, H. Chen), and Department of Family and Community Medicine (Kwong), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Energy, Environmental, and Chemical Engineering (van Donkelaar, Martin), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Mo.; College of Public Health and Human Studies (Hystad), Oregon State University, Corvallis, Ore.; Ontario Ministry of the Environment (Su), Conservation and Parks, Toronto, Ont.; Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau (Lavigne, H. Chen), Health Canada, Ottawa, Ont.; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Occupational Health (Kirby-McGregor, Kaufman), McGill University, Montréal, Que
| | - Yushan Su
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography (C. Chen, Benmarhnia), University of California San Diego, La Jolla, Calif.; Public Health Ontario (Wang, Kwong, Kim, H. Chen); ICES Central (Kwong, H. Chen); Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Kwong, Kim, H. Chen), and Department of Family and Community Medicine (Kwong), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Energy, Environmental, and Chemical Engineering (van Donkelaar, Martin), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Mo.; College of Public Health and Human Studies (Hystad), Oregon State University, Corvallis, Ore.; Ontario Ministry of the Environment (Su), Conservation and Parks, Toronto, Ont.; Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau (Lavigne, H. Chen), Health Canada, Ottawa, Ont.; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Occupational Health (Kirby-McGregor, Kaufman), McGill University, Montréal, Que
| | - Eric Lavigne
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography (C. Chen, Benmarhnia), University of California San Diego, La Jolla, Calif.; Public Health Ontario (Wang, Kwong, Kim, H. Chen); ICES Central (Kwong, H. Chen); Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Kwong, Kim, H. Chen), and Department of Family and Community Medicine (Kwong), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Energy, Environmental, and Chemical Engineering (van Donkelaar, Martin), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Mo.; College of Public Health and Human Studies (Hystad), Oregon State University, Corvallis, Ore.; Ontario Ministry of the Environment (Su), Conservation and Parks, Toronto, Ont.; Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau (Lavigne, H. Chen), Health Canada, Ottawa, Ont.; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Occupational Health (Kirby-McGregor, Kaufman), McGill University, Montréal, Que
| | - Megan Kirby-McGregor
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography (C. Chen, Benmarhnia), University of California San Diego, La Jolla, Calif.; Public Health Ontario (Wang, Kwong, Kim, H. Chen); ICES Central (Kwong, H. Chen); Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Kwong, Kim, H. Chen), and Department of Family and Community Medicine (Kwong), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Energy, Environmental, and Chemical Engineering (van Donkelaar, Martin), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Mo.; College of Public Health and Human Studies (Hystad), Oregon State University, Corvallis, Ore.; Ontario Ministry of the Environment (Su), Conservation and Parks, Toronto, Ont.; Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau (Lavigne, H. Chen), Health Canada, Ottawa, Ont.; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Occupational Health (Kirby-McGregor, Kaufman), McGill University, Montréal, Que
| | - Jay S Kaufman
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography (C. Chen, Benmarhnia), University of California San Diego, La Jolla, Calif.; Public Health Ontario (Wang, Kwong, Kim, H. Chen); ICES Central (Kwong, H. Chen); Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Kwong, Kim, H. Chen), and Department of Family and Community Medicine (Kwong), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Energy, Environmental, and Chemical Engineering (van Donkelaar, Martin), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Mo.; College of Public Health and Human Studies (Hystad), Oregon State University, Corvallis, Ore.; Ontario Ministry of the Environment (Su), Conservation and Parks, Toronto, Ont.; Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau (Lavigne, H. Chen), Health Canada, Ottawa, Ont.; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Occupational Health (Kirby-McGregor, Kaufman), McGill University, Montréal, Que
| | - Tarik Benmarhnia
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography (C. Chen, Benmarhnia), University of California San Diego, La Jolla, Calif.; Public Health Ontario (Wang, Kwong, Kim, H. Chen); ICES Central (Kwong, H. Chen); Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Kwong, Kim, H. Chen), and Department of Family and Community Medicine (Kwong), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Energy, Environmental, and Chemical Engineering (van Donkelaar, Martin), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Mo.; College of Public Health and Human Studies (Hystad), Oregon State University, Corvallis, Ore.; Ontario Ministry of the Environment (Su), Conservation and Parks, Toronto, Ont.; Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau (Lavigne, H. Chen), Health Canada, Ottawa, Ont.; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Occupational Health (Kirby-McGregor, Kaufman), McGill University, Montréal, Que
| | - Hong Chen
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography (C. Chen, Benmarhnia), University of California San Diego, La Jolla, Calif.; Public Health Ontario (Wang, Kwong, Kim, H. Chen); ICES Central (Kwong, H. Chen); Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Kwong, Kim, H. Chen), and Department of Family and Community Medicine (Kwong), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Energy, Environmental, and Chemical Engineering (van Donkelaar, Martin), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Mo.; College of Public Health and Human Studies (Hystad), Oregon State University, Corvallis, Ore.; Ontario Ministry of the Environment (Su), Conservation and Parks, Toronto, Ont.; Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau (Lavigne, H. Chen), Health Canada, Ottawa, Ont.; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Occupational Health (Kirby-McGregor, Kaufman), McGill University, Montréal, Que.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Brazete C, Pinto M, Sá L, Aguiar A, Alves F, Duarte R. Evaluation of the Real-World Effectiveness of Vaccines against COVID-19 at a Local Level: Protocol for a Test-Negative Case-Control Study. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10050822. [PMID: 35632578 PMCID: PMC9147572 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10050822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccines against COVID-19 approved for use in the EU/EEA have been shown to be highly effective against wild-type SARS-CoV-2. However, their effectiveness against new variants may be reduced. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of vaccines against COVID-19 in the prevention of symptomatic and severe disease, during pre- and post-omicron phases. Individuals who sought treatment at the emergency department of a Portuguese hospital with COVID-19-like disease and were tested for SARS-CoV-2 are the subjects of the study. Patients who received a positive result are considered cases, while those with negative results are the controls. The test-negative case–control method is one of the study designs recommended by WHO to estimate the effectiveness of vaccines against COVID-19. The main advantage of this design is that it controls for the healthcare seeking bias, commonly present in traditional cohort and case–control designs. This study may have broad implications for understanding the real-world performance of the COVID-19 vaccines at the local level, which may play a key role in promoting adherence to vaccination. Moreover, this study may contribute to inform decisions regarding booster doses and variant-specific vaccine formulations leading to the control of this and future pandemics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cátia Brazete
- EPIUnit—Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal; (A.A.); (R.D.)
- Unidade de Saúde Pública do Alto Minho, 4904-459 Viana do Castelo, Portugal;
- Correspondence:
| | - Marta Pinto
- Unidade de Investigação Clínica da ARS Norte, 4000-477 Porto, Portugal; (M.P.); (F.A.)
- Faculdade de Psicologia e Ciências da Educação, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Lígia Sá
- Unidade de Saúde Pública do Alto Minho, 4904-459 Viana do Castelo, Portugal;
| | - Ana Aguiar
- EPIUnit—Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal; (A.A.); (R.D.)
- Laboratório Para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), 4050-600 Porto, Portugal
| | - Filipe Alves
- Unidade de Investigação Clínica da ARS Norte, 4000-477 Porto, Portugal; (M.P.); (F.A.)
| | - Raquel Duarte
- EPIUnit—Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal; (A.A.); (R.D.)
- Unidade de Investigação Clínica da ARS Norte, 4000-477 Porto, Portugal; (M.P.); (F.A.)
- Laboratório Para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), 4050-600 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, 4050-303 Porto, Portugal
- Serviço de Pneumologia, Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, 4434-502 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Engebretsen S, Rø G, de Blasio BF. A compelling demonstration of why traditional statistical regression models cannot be used to identify risk factors from case data on infectious diseases: a simulation study. BMC Med Res Methodol 2022; 22:146. [PMID: 35596137 PMCID: PMC9123765 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-022-01565-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Regression models are often used to explain the relative risk of infectious diseases among groups. For example, overrepresentation of immigrants among COVID-19 cases has been found in multiple countries. Several studies apply regression models to investigate whether different risk factors can explain this overrepresentation among immigrants without considering dependence between the cases. METHODS We study the appropriateness of traditional statistical regression methods for identifying risk factors for infectious diseases, by a simulation study. We model infectious disease spread by a simple, population-structured version of an SIR (susceptible-infected-recovered)-model, which is one of the most famous and well-established models for infectious disease spread. The population is thus divided into different sub-groups. We vary the contact structure between the sub-groups of the population. We analyse the relation between individual-level risk of infection and group-level relative risk. We analyse whether Poisson regression estimators can capture the true, underlying parameters of transmission. We assess both the quantitative and qualitative accuracy of the estimated regression coefficients. RESULTS We illustrate that there is no clear relationship between differences in individual characteristics and group-level overrepresentation -small differences on the individual level can result in arbitrarily high overrepresentation. We demonstrate that individual risk of infection cannot be properly defined without simultaneous specification of the infection level of the population. We argue that the estimated regression coefficients are not interpretable and show that it is not possible to adjust for other variables by standard regression methods. Finally, we illustrate that regression models can result in the significance of variables unrelated to infection risk in the constructed simulation example (e.g. ethnicity), particularly when a large proportion of contacts is within the same group. CONCLUSIONS Traditional regression models which are valid for modelling risk between groups for non-communicable diseases are not valid for infectious diseases. By applying such methods to identify risk factors of infectious diseases, one risks ending up with wrong conclusions. Output from such analyses should therefore be treated with great caution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Gunnar Rø
- Department of Method Development and Analytics, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Birgitte Freiesleben de Blasio
- Department of Method Development and Analytics, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Vickers DM, Baral S, Mishra S, Kwong JC, Sundaram M, Katz A, Calzavara A, Maheu-Giroux M, Buckeridge DL, Williamson T. Stringency of containment and closures on the growth of SARS-CoV-2 in Canada prior to accelerated vaccine roll-out. Int J Infect Dis 2022; 118:73-82. [PMID: 35202783 PMCID: PMC8863413 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2022.02.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many studies have examined the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) on SARS-CoV-2 transmission worldwide. However, less attention has been devoted to understanding the limits of NPIs across the course of the pandemic and along a continuum of their stringency. In this study, we explore the relationship between the growth of SARS-CoV-2 cases and an NPI stringency index across Canada before the accelerated vaccine roll-out. METHODS We conducted an ecological time-series study of daily SARS-CoV-2 case growth in Canada from February 2020 to February 2021. Our outcome was a back-projected version of the daily growth ratio in a stringency period (i.e., a 10-point range of the stringency index) relative to the last day of the previous period. We examined the trends in case growth using a linear mixed-effects model accounting for stringency period, province, and mobility in public domains. RESULTS Case growth declined rapidly by 20-60% and plateaued within the first month of the first wave, irrespective of the starting values of the stringency index. When stringency periods increased, changes in case growth were not immediate and were faster in the first wave than in the second. In the first wave, the largest decreasing trends from our mixed effects model occurred in both early and late stringency periods, depending on the province, at a geometric mean index value of 30⋅1 out of 100. When compared with the first wave, the stringency periods in the second wave possessed little association with case growth. CONCLUSIONS The minimal association in the first wave, and the lack thereof in the second, is compatible with the hypothesis that NPIs do not, per se, lead to a decline in case growth. Instead, the correlations we observed might be better explained by a combination of underlying behaviors of the populations in each province and the natural dynamics of SARS-CoV-2. Although there exist alternative explanations for the equivocal relationship between NPIs and case growth, the onus of providing evidence shifts to demonstrating how NPIs can consistently have flat association, despite incrementally high stringency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David M. Vickers
- Centre for Health Informatics and Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada,Corresponding author: David M. Vickers, PhD, Centre for Health Informatics, 5th Floor, TRW Building, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada, Phone: +001 403 771 6893
| | - Stefan Baral
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, United States
| | - Sharmistha Mishra
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jeffrey C. Kwong
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada,Public Health Ontario, ON, Canada,Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada,Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada,Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Maria Sundaram
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada,Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Population Health, Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, Marshfield, WI, USA
| | - Alan Katz
- Departments of Community Health Sciences and Family Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | | | - Mathieu Maheu-Giroux
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - David L. Buckeridge
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Tyler Williamson
- Centre for Health Informatics and Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Gupta S, Sutradhar R, Alexander S, Science M, Lau C, Nagamuthu C, Agha M, Nathan PC, Hodgson D. Risk of COVID-19 Infections and of Severe Complications Among Survivors of Childhood, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancer: A Population-Based Study in Ontario, Canada. J Clin Oncol 2022; 40:1281-1290. [PMID: 35226549 DOI: 10.1200/jco.21.02592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Survivors of childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer are at risk of late effects, including pulmonary and infectious complications. Whether survivors are at increased risk of COVID-19 infection and severe complications is unknown. METHODS Population-based registries in Ontario, Canada, identified all 5-year survivors of childhood cancer diagnosed age 0-17 years between 1985 and 2014, and of six common adolescent and young adult cancers diagnosed age 15-21 years between 1992 and 2012. Each survivor alive on January 1, 2020, was randomly matched by birth year, sex, and residence to 10 cancer-free population controls. Individuals were linked to population-based laboratory and health care databases to identify COVID-19 tests, vaccinations, infections, and severe outcomes (emergency department [ED] visits, hospitalizations, intensive care unit admissions, and death within 60 days). Demographic, disease, and treatment-related variables were examined as possible predictors of outcomes. RESULTS Twelve thousand four hundred ten survivors were matched to 124,100 controls. Survivors were not at increased risk of receiving a positive COVID-19 test (386 [3.1%] v 3,946 [3.2%]; P = .68) and were more likely to be fully vaccinated (hazard ratio, 1.23; 95 CI, 1.20 to 1.37). No increase in risk among survivors was seen in emergency department visits (adjusted odds ratio, 1.2; 95 CI, 0.9 to 1.6; P = .19) or hospitalization (adjusted odds ratio, 1.8; 95 CI, 1.0 to 3.5; P = .07). No survivor experienced intensive care unit admission or died after COVID-19 infection. Pulmonary radiation or chemotherapies associated with pulmonary toxicity were not associated with increased risk. CONCLUSION Cancer survivors were not at increased risk of COVID-19 infections or severe sequelae. These results can inform risk-counseling of survivors and their caregivers. Further study is warranted to determine risk in older survivors, specific subsets of survivors, and that associated with novel COVID-19 variants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Gupta
- Division of Haematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Cancer Research Program, ICES, Toronto, Canada.,Institute for Health Policy, Evaluation and Management, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Rinku Sutradhar
- Cancer Research Program, ICES, Toronto, Canada.,Institute for Health Policy, Evaluation and Management, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sarah Alexander
- Division of Haematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Michelle Science
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Division of Infectious Diseases, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Cindy Lau
- Cancer Research Program, ICES, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Mohammad Agha
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario, Toronto, Canada.,Primary Care & Health Systems Research Program, ICES, Toronto, Canada
| | - Paul C Nathan
- Division of Haematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Cancer Research Program, ICES, Toronto, Canada.,Institute for Health Policy, Evaluation and Management, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - David Hodgson
- Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
MacFadden DR, Brown K, Buchan SA, Chung H, Kozak R, Kwong JC, Manuel D, Mubareka S, Daneman N. Screening Large Population Health Databases for Potential COVID-19 Therapeutics: A Pharmacopeia-Wide Association Study (PWAS) of Commonly Prescribed Medications. Open Forum Infect Dis 2022; 9:ofac156. [PMID: 35531374 PMCID: PMC8992242 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofac156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
For both the current and future pandemics, there is a need for high-throughput drug screening methods to identify existing drugs with potential preventative and/or therapeutic activity. Epidemiologic studies could complement lab-focused efforts to identify possible therapeutic agents.
Methods
We performed a pharmacopeia-wide association study (PWAS) to identify commonly prescribed medications and medication classes that are associated with the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in older individuals (>65 years) in long-term care homes (LTCH) and the community, between January 15 th, 2020 and December 31 st, 2020, across the province of Ontario, Canada.
Results
26,121 cases and 2,369,020 controls from LTCH and the community were included in this analysis. Many of the drugs and drug classes evaluated did not yield significant associations with SARS-CoV-2 detection. However, some drugs and drug classes appeared significantly associated with reduced SARS-CoV-2 detection, including cardioprotective drug classes such as statins (weighted OR 0.91, standard p-value <0.01, adjusted p-value <0.01) and beta-blockers (weighted OR 0.87, standard p-value <0.01, adjusted p-value 0.01), along with individual agents ranging from levetiracetam (weighted OR 0.70, standard p-value <0.01, adjusted p-value <0.01) to fluoxetine (weighted OR 0.86, standard p-value 0.013, adjusted p-value 0.198) to digoxin (weighted OR 0.89, standard p-value <0.01, adjusted p-value 0.02).
Conclusions
Using this epidemiologic approach which can be applied to current and future pandemics we have identified a variety of target drugs and drug classes that could offer therapeutic benefit in COVID-19 and may warrant further validation. Some of these agents (e.g. fluoxetine) have already been identified for their therapeutic potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Derek R MacFadden
- The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kevin Brown
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Canada
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sarah A Buchan
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Canada
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Rob Kozak
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jeffrey C Kwong
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Canada
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada
| | - Doug Manuel
- The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Samira Mubareka
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nick Daneman
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Nasreen S, Chung H, He S, Brown KA, Gubbay JB, Buchan SA, Fell DB, Austin PC, Schwartz KL, Sundaram ME, Calzavara A, Chen B, Tadrous M, Wilson K, Wilson SE, Kwong JC. Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe outcomes with variants of concern in Ontario. Nat Microbiol 2022; 7:379-385. [PMID: 35132198 DOI: 10.1101/2021.06.28.21259420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) are more transmissible and may have the potential for increased disease severity and decreased vaccine effectiveness. We estimated the effectiveness of BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty), mRNA-1273 (Moderna Spikevax) and ChAdOx1 (AstraZeneca Vaxzevria) vaccines against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 hospitalization or death caused by the Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1) and Delta (B.1.617.2) VOC in Ontario, Canada, using a test-negative design study. We identified 682,071 symptomatic community-dwelling individuals who were tested for SARS-CoV-2, and 15,269 individuals with a COVID-19 hospitalization or death. Effectiveness against symptomatic infection ≥7 d after two doses was 89-92% against Alpha, 87% against Beta, 88% against Gamma, 82-89% against Beta/Gamma and 87-95% against Delta across vaccine products. The corresponding estimates ≥14 d after one dose were lower. Effectiveness estimates against hospitalization or death were similar to or higher than against symptomatic infection. Effectiveness against symptomatic infection was generally lower for older adults (≥60 years) than for younger adults (<60 years) for most of the VOC-vaccine combinations. Our findings suggest that jurisdictions facing vaccine supply constraints may benefit from delaying the second dose in younger individuals to more rapidly achieve greater overall population protection; however, older adults would likely benefit most from minimizing the delay in receiving the second dose to achieve adequate protection against VOC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sharifa Nasreen
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Siyi He
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kevin A Brown
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Sarah A Buchan
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Deshayne B Fell
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Peter C Austin
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kevin L Schwartz
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maria E Sundaram
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Population Health, Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, Marshfield, WI, USA
| | | | | | - Mina Tadrous
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kumanan Wilson
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Bruyere and Ottawa Hospital Research Institutes, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sarah E Wilson
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jeffrey C Kwong
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Pengid S, Peltzer K, de Moura Villela EF, Fodjo JNS, Siau CS, Chen WS, Bono SA, Jayasvasti I, Hasan MT, Wanyenze RK, Hosseinipour MC, Dolo H, Sessou P, Ditekemena JD, Colebunders R. Using Andersen's model of health care utilization to assess factors associated with COVID-19 testing among adults in nine low-and middle-income countries: an online survey. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:265. [PMID: 35227263 PMCID: PMC8882718 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-07661-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background This study aimed to investigate, using Andersen’s model of health care utilization, factors associated with COVID-19 testing among adults in nine low- and middle- income countries. Methods In between 10 December 2020 and 9 February 2021, an online survey was organized in nine low- and middle-income countries. In total 10,183 adults (median age 45 years, interquartile range 33–57 years, range 18–93 years), including 6470 from Brazil, 1738 Malaysia, 1124 Thailand, 230 Bangladesh, 219 DR Congo, 159 Benin, 107 Uganda, 81 Malawi and 55 from Mali participated in the study. COVID-19 testing/infection status was assessed by self-report. Results Of the 10,183 participants, 40.3% had ever tested for COVID-19, 7.3% tested positive, and 33.0% tested negative. In an adjusted logistic regression model, predisposing factors (residing in Brazil, postgraduate education), enabling/disabling factors (urban residence, higher perceived economic status, being a student or worker in the health care sector, and moderate or severe psychological distress), and need factors (having at least one chronic condition) increased the odds of COVID-19 testing. Among those who were tested, participants residing in Bangladesh, those who had moderate to severe psychological distress were positively associated with COVID-19 positive diagnosis. Participants who are residing in Malaysia and Thailand, and those who had higher education were negatively associated with a COVID-19 positive diagnosis. Considering all participants, higher perceived economic status, being a student or worker in the health sector, and moderate or severe psychological distress were positively associated with a COVID-19 positive diagnosis, and residing in Malaysia, Thailand or five African countries was negatively associated with a COVID-19 positive diagnosis. Conclusion A high rate of COVID-19 testing among adults was reported in nine low-and middle-income countries. However, access to testing needs to be increased in Africa. Moreover, COVID-19 testing programmes need to target persons of lower economic status and education level who are less tested but most at risk for COVID-19 infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Supa Pengid
- Department of Health Education and Behavioral Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.,Department of Research Administration and Development, University of Limpopo, Polokwane, South Africa
| | - Karl Peltzer
- Department of Research Administration and Development, University of Limpopo, Polokwane, South Africa. .,Department of Psychology, College of Medical and Health Science, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan.
| | - Edlaine Faria de Moura Villela
- Disease Control Coordination, São Paulo State Health Department, São Paulo, 01246-000, Brazil.,Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, 74690-900, Brazil
| | | | - Ching Sin Siau
- Centre for Community Health Studies (ReaCH), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 50300, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Won Sun Chen
- Department of Health Science and Biostatistics, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, 3122, Australia
| | - Suzanna A Bono
- School of Social Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Gelugor, Malaysia
| | | | - M Tasdik Hasan
- Jeeon Bangladesh Ltd., Dhaka, Bangladesh.,Department of Public Health, State University of Bangladesh (SUB), Dhaka, Bangladesh.,Department of Primary Care & Mental Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3BX, UK
| | - Rhoda K Wanyenze
- School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Housseini Dolo
- International Center of Excellence in Research, Faculty of Medicine and OdontoStomatology, Bamako, Mali.,Lymphatic Filariasis Research Unit/International Center of Excellence in Research, Bamako, Mali
| | - Philippe Sessou
- Research Unit on Communicable Diseases, Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou 01, BP, 526, Benin
| | - John D Ditekemena
- Kinshasa School of Public Health, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, 7948, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Xia Y, Ma H, Moloney G, Velásquez García HA, Sirski M, Janjua NZ, Vickers D, Williamson T, Katz A, Yiu K, Kustra R, Buckeridge DL, Brisson M, Baral SD, Mishra S, Maheu-Giroux M. Geographic concentration of SARS-CoV-2 cases by social determinants of health in metropolitan areas in Canada: a cross-sectional study. CMAJ 2022; 194:E195-E204. [PMID: 35165131 PMCID: PMC8900797 DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.211249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Understanding inequalities in SARS-CoV-2 transmission associated with the social determinants of health could help the development of effective mitigation strategies that are responsive to local transmission dynamics. This study aims to quantify social determinants of geographic concentration of SARS-CoV-2 cases across 16 census metropolitan areas (hereafter, cities) in 4 Canadian provinces, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. Methods: We used surveillance data on confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases and census data for social determinants at the level of the dissemination area (DA). We calculated Gini coefficients to determine the overall geographic heterogeneity of confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 in each city, and calculated Gini covariance coefficients to determine each city’s heterogeneity by each social determinant (income, education, housing density and proportions of visible minorities, recent immigrants and essential workers). We visualized heterogeneity using Lorenz (concentration) curves. Results: We observed geographic concentration of SARS-CoV-2 cases in cities, as half of the cumulative cases were concentrated in DAs containing 21%–35% of their population, with the greatest geographic heterogeneity in Ontario cities (Gini coefficients 0.32–0.47), followed by British Columbia (0.23–0.36), Manitoba (0.32) and Quebec (0.28–0.37). Cases were disproportionately concentrated in areas with lower income and educational attainment, and in areas with a higher proportion of visible minorities, recent immigrants, high-density housing and essential workers. Although a consistent feature across cities was concentration by the proportion of visible minorities, the magnitude of concentration by social determinant varied across cities. Interpretation: Geographic concentration of SARS-CoV-2 cases was observed in all of the included cities, but the pattern by social determinants varied. Geographically prioritized allocation of resources and services should be tailored to the local drivers of inequalities in transmission in response to the resurgence of SARS-CoV-2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yiqing Xia
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Xia, Buckeridge, Maheu-Giroux), School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montréal, Que.; MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions (Xia, Ma, Moloney, Yiu, Mishra), St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; School of Population and Public Health (Velásquez García, Janjua), University of British Columbia; British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (Velásquez García, Janjua), Vancouver, BC; Departments of Community Health Sciences and Family Medicine (Sirski, Katz), Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man.; Department of Community Health Sciences (Vickers, Williamson) and Centre for Health Informatics (Williamson), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Kustra), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Département de médecine sociale et préventive (Brisson), Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Que.; Department of Epidemiology (Baral), Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Md.; Division of Infectious Diseases (Mishra), Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Huiting Ma
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Xia, Buckeridge, Maheu-Giroux), School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montréal, Que.; MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions (Xia, Ma, Moloney, Yiu, Mishra), St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; School of Population and Public Health (Velásquez García, Janjua), University of British Columbia; British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (Velásquez García, Janjua), Vancouver, BC; Departments of Community Health Sciences and Family Medicine (Sirski, Katz), Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man.; Department of Community Health Sciences (Vickers, Williamson) and Centre for Health Informatics (Williamson), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Kustra), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Département de médecine sociale et préventive (Brisson), Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Que.; Department of Epidemiology (Baral), Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Md.; Division of Infectious Diseases (Mishra), Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Gary Moloney
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Xia, Buckeridge, Maheu-Giroux), School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montréal, Que.; MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions (Xia, Ma, Moloney, Yiu, Mishra), St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; School of Population and Public Health (Velásquez García, Janjua), University of British Columbia; British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (Velásquez García, Janjua), Vancouver, BC; Departments of Community Health Sciences and Family Medicine (Sirski, Katz), Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man.; Department of Community Health Sciences (Vickers, Williamson) and Centre for Health Informatics (Williamson), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Kustra), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Département de médecine sociale et préventive (Brisson), Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Que.; Department of Epidemiology (Baral), Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Md.; Division of Infectious Diseases (Mishra), Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Héctor A Velásquez García
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Xia, Buckeridge, Maheu-Giroux), School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montréal, Que.; MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions (Xia, Ma, Moloney, Yiu, Mishra), St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; School of Population and Public Health (Velásquez García, Janjua), University of British Columbia; British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (Velásquez García, Janjua), Vancouver, BC; Departments of Community Health Sciences and Family Medicine (Sirski, Katz), Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man.; Department of Community Health Sciences (Vickers, Williamson) and Centre for Health Informatics (Williamson), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Kustra), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Département de médecine sociale et préventive (Brisson), Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Que.; Department of Epidemiology (Baral), Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Md.; Division of Infectious Diseases (Mishra), Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Monica Sirski
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Xia, Buckeridge, Maheu-Giroux), School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montréal, Que.; MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions (Xia, Ma, Moloney, Yiu, Mishra), St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; School of Population and Public Health (Velásquez García, Janjua), University of British Columbia; British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (Velásquez García, Janjua), Vancouver, BC; Departments of Community Health Sciences and Family Medicine (Sirski, Katz), Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man.; Department of Community Health Sciences (Vickers, Williamson) and Centre for Health Informatics (Williamson), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Kustra), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Département de médecine sociale et préventive (Brisson), Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Que.; Department of Epidemiology (Baral), Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Md.; Division of Infectious Diseases (Mishra), Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Naveed Z Janjua
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Xia, Buckeridge, Maheu-Giroux), School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montréal, Que.; MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions (Xia, Ma, Moloney, Yiu, Mishra), St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; School of Population and Public Health (Velásquez García, Janjua), University of British Columbia; British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (Velásquez García, Janjua), Vancouver, BC; Departments of Community Health Sciences and Family Medicine (Sirski, Katz), Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man.; Department of Community Health Sciences (Vickers, Williamson) and Centre for Health Informatics (Williamson), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Kustra), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Département de médecine sociale et préventive (Brisson), Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Que.; Department of Epidemiology (Baral), Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Md.; Division of Infectious Diseases (Mishra), Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - David Vickers
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Xia, Buckeridge, Maheu-Giroux), School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montréal, Que.; MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions (Xia, Ma, Moloney, Yiu, Mishra), St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; School of Population and Public Health (Velásquez García, Janjua), University of British Columbia; British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (Velásquez García, Janjua), Vancouver, BC; Departments of Community Health Sciences and Family Medicine (Sirski, Katz), Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man.; Department of Community Health Sciences (Vickers, Williamson) and Centre for Health Informatics (Williamson), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Kustra), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Département de médecine sociale et préventive (Brisson), Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Que.; Department of Epidemiology (Baral), Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Md.; Division of Infectious Diseases (Mishra), Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Tyler Williamson
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Xia, Buckeridge, Maheu-Giroux), School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montréal, Que.; MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions (Xia, Ma, Moloney, Yiu, Mishra), St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; School of Population and Public Health (Velásquez García, Janjua), University of British Columbia; British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (Velásquez García, Janjua), Vancouver, BC; Departments of Community Health Sciences and Family Medicine (Sirski, Katz), Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man.; Department of Community Health Sciences (Vickers, Williamson) and Centre for Health Informatics (Williamson), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Kustra), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Département de médecine sociale et préventive (Brisson), Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Que.; Department of Epidemiology (Baral), Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Md.; Division of Infectious Diseases (Mishra), Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Alan Katz
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Xia, Buckeridge, Maheu-Giroux), School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montréal, Que.; MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions (Xia, Ma, Moloney, Yiu, Mishra), St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; School of Population and Public Health (Velásquez García, Janjua), University of British Columbia; British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (Velásquez García, Janjua), Vancouver, BC; Departments of Community Health Sciences and Family Medicine (Sirski, Katz), Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man.; Department of Community Health Sciences (Vickers, Williamson) and Centre for Health Informatics (Williamson), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Kustra), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Département de médecine sociale et préventive (Brisson), Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Que.; Department of Epidemiology (Baral), Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Md.; Division of Infectious Diseases (Mishra), Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Kristy Yiu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Xia, Buckeridge, Maheu-Giroux), School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montréal, Que.; MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions (Xia, Ma, Moloney, Yiu, Mishra), St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; School of Population and Public Health (Velásquez García, Janjua), University of British Columbia; British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (Velásquez García, Janjua), Vancouver, BC; Departments of Community Health Sciences and Family Medicine (Sirski, Katz), Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man.; Department of Community Health Sciences (Vickers, Williamson) and Centre for Health Informatics (Williamson), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Kustra), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Département de médecine sociale et préventive (Brisson), Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Que.; Department of Epidemiology (Baral), Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Md.; Division of Infectious Diseases (Mishra), Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Rafal Kustra
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Xia, Buckeridge, Maheu-Giroux), School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montréal, Que.; MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions (Xia, Ma, Moloney, Yiu, Mishra), St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; School of Population and Public Health (Velásquez García, Janjua), University of British Columbia; British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (Velásquez García, Janjua), Vancouver, BC; Departments of Community Health Sciences and Family Medicine (Sirski, Katz), Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man.; Department of Community Health Sciences (Vickers, Williamson) and Centre for Health Informatics (Williamson), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Kustra), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Département de médecine sociale et préventive (Brisson), Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Que.; Department of Epidemiology (Baral), Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Md.; Division of Infectious Diseases (Mishra), Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - David L Buckeridge
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Xia, Buckeridge, Maheu-Giroux), School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montréal, Que.; MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions (Xia, Ma, Moloney, Yiu, Mishra), St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; School of Population and Public Health (Velásquez García, Janjua), University of British Columbia; British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (Velásquez García, Janjua), Vancouver, BC; Departments of Community Health Sciences and Family Medicine (Sirski, Katz), Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man.; Department of Community Health Sciences (Vickers, Williamson) and Centre for Health Informatics (Williamson), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Kustra), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Département de médecine sociale et préventive (Brisson), Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Que.; Department of Epidemiology (Baral), Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Md.; Division of Infectious Diseases (Mishra), Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Marc Brisson
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Xia, Buckeridge, Maheu-Giroux), School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montréal, Que.; MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions (Xia, Ma, Moloney, Yiu, Mishra), St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; School of Population and Public Health (Velásquez García, Janjua), University of British Columbia; British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (Velásquez García, Janjua), Vancouver, BC; Departments of Community Health Sciences and Family Medicine (Sirski, Katz), Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man.; Department of Community Health Sciences (Vickers, Williamson) and Centre for Health Informatics (Williamson), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Kustra), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Département de médecine sociale et préventive (Brisson), Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Que.; Department of Epidemiology (Baral), Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Md.; Division of Infectious Diseases (Mishra), Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Stefan D Baral
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Xia, Buckeridge, Maheu-Giroux), School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montréal, Que.; MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions (Xia, Ma, Moloney, Yiu, Mishra), St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; School of Population and Public Health (Velásquez García, Janjua), University of British Columbia; British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (Velásquez García, Janjua), Vancouver, BC; Departments of Community Health Sciences and Family Medicine (Sirski, Katz), Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man.; Department of Community Health Sciences (Vickers, Williamson) and Centre for Health Informatics (Williamson), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Kustra), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Département de médecine sociale et préventive (Brisson), Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Que.; Department of Epidemiology (Baral), Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Md.; Division of Infectious Diseases (Mishra), Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Sharmistha Mishra
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Xia, Buckeridge, Maheu-Giroux), School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montréal, Que.; MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions (Xia, Ma, Moloney, Yiu, Mishra), St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; School of Population and Public Health (Velásquez García, Janjua), University of British Columbia; British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (Velásquez García, Janjua), Vancouver, BC; Departments of Community Health Sciences and Family Medicine (Sirski, Katz), Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man.; Department of Community Health Sciences (Vickers, Williamson) and Centre for Health Informatics (Williamson), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Kustra), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Département de médecine sociale et préventive (Brisson), Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Que.; Department of Epidemiology (Baral), Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Md.; Division of Infectious Diseases (Mishra), Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.
| | - Mathieu Maheu-Giroux
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Xia, Buckeridge, Maheu-Giroux), School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montréal, Que.; MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions (Xia, Ma, Moloney, Yiu, Mishra), St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; School of Population and Public Health (Velásquez García, Janjua), University of British Columbia; British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (Velásquez García, Janjua), Vancouver, BC; Departments of Community Health Sciences and Family Medicine (Sirski, Katz), Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man.; Department of Community Health Sciences (Vickers, Williamson) and Centre for Health Informatics (Williamson), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Kustra), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Département de médecine sociale et préventive (Brisson), Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Que.; Department of Epidemiology (Baral), Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Md.; Division of Infectious Diseases (Mishra), Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Nasreen S, Chung H, He S, Brown KA, Gubbay JB, Buchan SA, Fell DB, Austin PC, Schwartz KL, Sundaram ME, Calzavara A, Chen B, Tadrous M, Wilson K, Wilson SE, Kwong JC. Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe outcomes with variants of concern in Ontario. Nat Microbiol 2022; 7:379-385. [DOI: 10.1038/s41564-021-01053-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
|
39
|
Lee DS, Wang CX, McAlister FA, Ma S, Chu A, Rochon PA, Kaul P, Austin PC, Wang X, Kalmady SV, Udell JA, Schull MJ, Rubin BB, Wang B. Factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 test positivity in long-term care homes: A population-based cohort analysis using machine learning. LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. AMERICAS 2022; 6:100146. [PMID: 35072145 PMCID: PMC8763396 DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2021.100146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND SARS-Cov-2 infection rates are high among residents of long-term care (LTC) homes. We used machine learning to identify resident and community characteristics predictive of SARS-Cov-2 infection. METHODS We linked 26 population-based health and administrative databases to identify the population of all LTC residents tested for SARS-Cov-2 infection in Ontario, Canada. Using ensemble-based algorithms, we examined 484 factors, including individual-level demographics, healthcare use, comorbidities, functional status, and laboratory results; and community-level characteristics to identify factors predictive of infection. Analyses were performed separately for January to April (early wave 1) and May to August (late wave 1). FINDINGS Among 80,784 LTC residents, 64,757 (80.2%) were tested for SARS-Cov-2 (median age 86 (78-91) years, 30.6% male), of whom 10.2% of 33,519 and 5.2% of 31,238 tested positive in early and late wave 1, respectively. In the late phase (when restriction of visitors, closure of communal spaces, and universal masking in LTC were routine), regional-level characteristics comprised 33 of the top 50 factors associated with testing positive, while laboratory values and comorbidities were also predictive. The c-index of the final model was 0.934, and sensitivity was 0.887. In the highest versus lowest risk quartiles, the odds ratio for infection was 114.3 (95% CI 38.6-557.3). LTC-related geographic variations existed in the distribution of observed infection rates and the proportion of residents at highest risk. INTERPRETATION Machine learning informed evaluation of predicted and observed risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection at the resident and LTC levels, and may inform initiatives to improve care quality in this setting. FUNDING Funded by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research, COVID-19 Rapid Research Funding Opportunity grant (# VR4 172736) and a Peter Munk Cardiac Centre Innovation Grant. Dr. D. Lee is the Ted Rogers Chair in Heart Function Outcomes, University Health Network, University of Toronto. Dr. Austin is supported by a Mid-Career investigator award from the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Dr. McAlister is supported by an Alberta Health Services Chair in Cardiovascular Outcomes Research. Dr. Kaul is the CIHR Sex and Gender Science Chair and the Heart & Stroke Chair in Cardiovascular Research. Dr. Rochon holds the RTO/ERO Chair in Geriatric Medicine from the University of Toronto. Dr. B. Wang holds a CIFAR AI chair at the Vector Institute.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Douglas S Lee
- ICES (formerly Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences), Toronto, Canada.,Division of Cardiology, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Cardiovascular Program, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Chloe X Wang
- ICES (formerly Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences), Toronto, Canada.,Vector Institute of Artificial Intelligence, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Finlay A McAlister
- Alberta SPOR Unit, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.,Canadian VIGOUR Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Shihao Ma
- ICES (formerly Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences), Toronto, Canada.,Vector Institute of Artificial Intelligence, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Anna Chu
- ICES (formerly Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences), Toronto, Canada
| | - Paula A Rochon
- ICES (formerly Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences), Toronto, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Canada
| | - Padma Kaul
- Canadian VIGOUR Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Peter C Austin
- ICES (formerly Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences), Toronto, Canada
| | - Xuesong Wang
- ICES (formerly Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences), Toronto, Canada
| | - Sunil V Kalmady
- Canadian VIGOUR Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Jacob A Udell
- ICES (formerly Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences), Toronto, Canada.,Division of Cardiology, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Cardiovascular Program, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Canada
| | - Michael J Schull
- ICES (formerly Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences), Toronto, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Emergency Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
| | - Barry B Rubin
- Division of Cardiology, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Cardiovascular Program, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Vascular Surgery, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Bo Wang
- ICES (formerly Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences), Toronto, Canada.,Division of Cardiology, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Cardiovascular Program, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Vector Institute of Artificial Intelligence, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Solomon JM, Jones A, Hohol M, Krysko KM, Muccilli A, Roll A, Rotstein D, Schneider R, Selchen D, Vosoughi R, Baral SD, Oh J. Clinical characteristics and outcomes of multiple sclerosis patients with COVID-19 in Toronto, Canada. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2022; 58:103509. [PMID: 35030366 PMCID: PMC8741626 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2022.103509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Objective To report clinical characteristics and outcomes of people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) who developed COVID-19 infection in Toronto, Canada. Methods Descriptive, retrospective, single-center study that included all known PwMS at the St. Michael's Hospital MS Clinic who had PCR-confirmed COVID-19 infection between March 2020 and May 2021. Results Of 7000 PwMS in our clinic, 80 (1.1%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Fifty-four (67.5%) were on disease-modifying therapy (DMT) without over-representation of any single treatment. Seventy-one patients (88.8%) had mild symptoms, but nine (11.3%) were hospitalized and one 70-year-old male patient not on treatment died. Of those hospitalized, one-third were treated with ocrelizumab. Conclusion In Toronto, PwMS did not appear to have higher prevalence of COVID-19 infection compared to the general population, but disease severity may be affected by DMT use. Our findings add to the accumulating global data regarding COVID-19 infection in PwMS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline M Solomon
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, 36 Queen St E, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8, Canada; Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University, 237 Barton St E, Hamilton, Ontario L8L 2X2, Canada.
| | - Ashley Jones
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, 36 Queen St E, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8, Canada.
| | - Marika Hohol
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, 36 Queen St E, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8, Canada.
| | - Kristen M Krysko
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, 36 Queen St E, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8, Canada.
| | - Alexandra Muccilli
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, 36 Queen St E, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8, Canada.
| | - Alexandra Roll
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, 36 Queen St E, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8, Canada.
| | - Dalia Rotstein
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, 36 Queen St E, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8, Canada.
| | - Raphael Schneider
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, 36 Queen St E, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8, Canada; Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, 209 Victoria St, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1T8, Canada.
| | - Daniel Selchen
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, 36 Queen St E, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8, Canada.
| | - Reza Vosoughi
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, 36 Queen St E, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8, Canada.
| | - Stefan D Baral
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Jiwon Oh
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, 36 Queen St E, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Mishra S, Ma H, Moloney G, Yiu KCY, Darvin D, Landsman D, Kwong JC, Calzavara A, Straus S, Chan AK, Gournis E, Rilkoff H, Xia Y, Katz A, Williamson T, Malikov K, Kustra R, Maheu-Giroux M, Sander B, Baral SD. Increasing concentration of COVID-19 by socioeconomic determinants and geography in Toronto, Canada: an observational study. Ann Epidemiol 2022; 65:84-92. [PMID: 34320380 DOI: 10.1101/2021.04.01.21254585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inequities in the burden of COVID-19 were observed early in Canada and around the world, suggesting economically marginalized communities faced disproportionate risks. However, there has been limited systematic assessment of how heterogeneity in risks has evolved in large urban centers over time. PURPOSE To address this gap, we quantified the magnitude of risk heterogeneity in Toronto, Ontario from January to November 2020 using a retrospective, population-based observational study using surveillance data. METHODS We generated epidemic curves by social determinants of health (SDOH) and crude Lorenz curves by neighbourhoods to visualize inequities in the distribution of COVID-19 and estimated Gini coefficients. We examined the correlation between SDOH using Pearson-correlation coefficients. RESULTS Gini coefficient of cumulative cases by population size was 0.41 (95% confidence interval [CI]:0.36-0.47) and estimated for: household income (0.20, 95%CI: 0.14-0.28); visible minority (0.21, 95%CI:0.16-0.28); recent immigration (0.12, 95%CI:0.09-0.16); suitable housing (0.21, 95%CI:0.14-0.30); multigenerational households (0.19, 95%CI:0.15-0.23); and essential workers (0.28, 95%CI:0.23-0.34). CONCLUSIONS There was rapid epidemiologic transition from higher- to lower-income neighborhoods with Lorenz curve transitioning from below to above the line of equality across SDOH. Moving forward necessitates integrating programs and policies addressing socioeconomic inequities and structural racism into COVID-19 prevention and vaccination programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sharmistha Mishra
- St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Huiting Ma
- St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Gary Moloney
- St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Kristy C Y Yiu
- St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Dariya Darvin
- St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - David Landsman
- St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jeffrey C Kwong
- ICES, Toronto, Canada; Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Canada; Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Sharon Straus
- Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Adrienne K Chan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Division of Infectious Diseases, Sunnybrook Health Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Effie Gournis
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Toronto Public Health, City of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Yiqing Xia
- St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Alan Katz
- Departments of Community Health Sciences and Family Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Tyler Williamson
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada; Centre for Health Informatics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Kamil Malikov
- Capacity Planning and Analytics Division, Ontario Ministry of Health, Toronto, Canada
| | - Rafal Kustra
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Mathieu Maheu-Giroux
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Beate Sander
- ICES, Toronto, Canada; Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Canada; Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Stefan D Baral
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, United States
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
van Ingen T, Brown KA, Buchan SA, Akingbola S, Daneman N, Warren CM, Smith BT. Neighbourhood-level socio-demographic characteristics and risk of COVID-19 incidence and mortality in Ontario, Canada: A population-based study. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0276507. [PMID: 36264984 DOI: 10.1101/2021.01.27.21250618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We aimed to estimate associations between COVID-19 incidence and mortality with neighbourhood-level immigration, race, housing, and socio-economic characteristics. METHODS We conducted a population-based study of 28,808 COVID-19 cases in the provincial reportable infectious disease surveillance systems (Public Health Case and Contact Management System) which includes all known COVID-19 infections and deaths from Ontario, Canada reported between January 23, 2020 and July 28, 2020. Residents of congregate settings, Indigenous communities living on reserves or small neighbourhoods with populations <1,000 were excluded. Comparing neighbourhoods in the 90th to the 10th percentiles of socio-demographic characteristics, we estimated the associations between 18 neighbourhood-level measures of immigration, race, housing and socio-economic characteristics and COVID-19 incidence and mortality using Poisson generalized linear mixed models. RESULTS Neighbourhoods with the highest proportion of immigrants (relative risk (RR): 4.0, 95%CI:3.5-4.5) and visible minority residents (RR: 3.3, 95%CI:2.9-3.7) showed the strongest association with COVID-19 incidence in adjusted models. Among individual race groups, COVID-19 incidence was highest among neighbourhoods with the high proportions of Black (RR: 2.4, 95%CI:2.2-2.6), South Asian (RR: 1.9, 95%CI:1.8-2.1), Latin American (RR: 1.8, 95%CI:1.6-2.0) and Middle Eastern (RR: 1.2, 95%CI:1.1-1.3) residents. Neighbourhoods with the highest average household size (RR: 1.9, 95%CI:1.7-2.1), proportion of multigenerational families (RR: 1.8, 95%CI:1.7-2.0) and unsuitably crowded housing (RR: 2.1, 95%CI:2.0-2.3) were associated with COVID-19 incidence. Neighbourhoods with the highest proportion of residents with less than high school education (RR: 1.6, 95%CI:1.4-1.8), low income (RR: 1.4, 95%CI:1.2-1.5) and unaffordable housing (RR: 1.6, 95%CI:1.4-1.8) were associated with COVID-19 incidence. Similar inequities were observed across neighbourhood-level sociodemographic characteristics and COVID-19 mortality. CONCLUSIONS Neighbourhood-level inequities in COVID-19 incidence and mortality were observed in Ontario, with excess burden experienced in neighbourhoods with a higher proportion of immigrants, racialized populations, large households and low socio-economic status.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kevin A Brown
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sarah A Buchan
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Nick Daneman
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Brendan T Smith
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Mankowski N, Al-Qurayshi Z, Souza S, Campbell B, Beighley A, Denson J, Mauldin B, Bojanowski C, Friedlander P, Zifodya J. The effect of race, socioeconomic status, and comorbidity on patients afflicted with COVID 19: A Local Perspective. Ann Epidemiol 2021; 64:83-87. [PMID: 34562588 PMCID: PMC8457904 DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2021.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study is to further examine the associations of race, socioeconomic factors, and comorbidity with COVID-19 health outcomes. METHODS This is a retrospective cohort study of 309 PCR confirmed COVID-19 positive adults who presented to Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans, LA, from March 9 to May 29, 2020. The primary outcomes investigated were need for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and in-hospital mortality. A multivariate analysis was performed to determine socioeconomic and medical risk factors for IMV and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS Compared to white patients, Black patients were more likely to present younger, female, obese, unemployed, and underinsured. However, when controlled for common risk factors, Black and white patients had similar risk for IMV and mortality. Increased age (≥65 years), obesity, and increased comorbidity were associated with increased risk for IMV and mortality. CONCLUSIONS Race and socioeconomic factors may increase risk for COVID-19 infection but did not affect health outcomes within the hospital setting. Therefore, the higher rates of COVID-19 infection and mortality in vulnerable populations may be better explained by lower socioeconomic status, with subsequent higher comorbidity, in these populations. Community health initiatives should be prioritized in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Zaid Al-Qurayshi
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA
| | - Spenser Souza
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, University of California-San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA
| | | | - Adam Beighley
- Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
| | - Joshua Denson
- Section of Pulmonary Diseases, Critical Care and Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
| | - Brandon Mauldin
- Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
| | - Christine Bojanowski
- Section of Pulmonary Diseases, Critical Care and Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
| | - Paul Friedlander
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
| | - Jerry Zifodya
- Section of Pulmonary Diseases, Critical Care and Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Arceo-Gomez EO, Campos-Vazquez RM, Esquivel G, Alcaraz E, Martinez LA, Lopez NG. The income gradient in COVID-19 mortality and hospitalisation: An observational study with social security administrative records in Mexico. LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. AMERICAS 2021; 6:100115. [PMID: 34778865 PMCID: PMC8578731 DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2021.100115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic revealed large structural inequalities that led to disparities in health outcomes related to socioeconomic status. So far, most of the evidence is based on aggregated data or simulations with individual data, which point to various possible mechanisms behind the association. To date, there have been no studies regarding an income gradient in COVID-19 mortality based on individual-level data and adjusting for comorbidities or access to healthcare. METHODS In this paper, we use linked employee-patient data for patients tested for COVID-19 at the Mexican Institute of Social Security. We estimate the association of the probability of dying with income centiles, using a probit estimation and adjusting for COVID-19 diagnosis, sociodemographic variables, and comorbidities. FINDINGS After controlling for all these variables, we find that persons in the lowest income decile still had a probability of dying from COVID-19 five times greater than those at the top decile. INTERPRETATION Our results imply that the association between income and COVID outcomes is not explained by the prevalence of comorbidities or by a lack of access to healthcare among the low-income population. FUNDING This study was not supported by any external funding source.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Raymundo M. Campos-Vazquez
- Centro de Estudios Económicos, El Colegio de México, Carretera Picacho Ajusco 20, Col. Ampliación Fuentes del Pedregal, Mexico City 14110, Mexico,Corresponding author.
| | | | - Eduardo Alcaraz
- Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Luis A. Martinez
- Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Norma G. Lopez
- Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Mexico City, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Velásquez García HA, Wilton J, Smolina K, Chong M, Rasali D, Otterstatter M, Rose C, Prystajecky N, David S, Galanis E, McKee G, Krajden M, Janjua NZ. Mental Health and Substance Use Associated with Hospitalization among People with COVID-19: A Population-Based Cohort Study. Viruses 2021; 13:v13112196. [PMID: 34835002 PMCID: PMC8624346 DOI: 10.3390/v13112196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
This study identified factors associated with hospital admission among people with laboratory-diagnosed COVID-19 cases in British Columbia. The study used data from the BC COVID-19 Cohort, which integrates data on all COVID-19 cases with data on hospitalizations, medical visits, emergency room visits, prescription drugs, chronic conditions and deaths. The analysis included all laboratory-diagnosed COVID-19 cases in British Columbia to 15 January 2021. We evaluated factors associated with hospital admission using multivariable Poisson regression analysis with robust error variance. Of the 56,874 COVID-19 cases included in the analysis, 2298 were hospitalized. Factors associated with increased hospitalization risk were as follows: male sex (adjusted risk ratio (aRR) = 1.27; 95% CI = 1.17–1.37), older age (p-trend < 0.0001 across age groups increasing hospitalization risk with increasing age [aRR 30–39 years = 3.06; 95% CI = 2.32–4.03, to aRR 80+ years = 43.68; 95% CI = 33.41–57.10 compared to 20–29 years-old]), asthma (aRR = 1.15; 95% CI = 1.04–1.26), cancer (aRR = 1.19; 95% CI = 1.09–1.29), chronic kidney disease (aRR = 1.32; 95% CI = 1.19–1.47), diabetes (treated without insulin aRR = 1.13; 95% CI = 1.03–1.25, requiring insulin aRR = 5.05; 95% CI = 4.43–5.76), hypertension (aRR = 1.19; 95% CI = 1.08–1.31), injection drug use (aRR = 2.51; 95% CI = 2.14–2.95), intellectual and developmental disabilities (aRR = 1.67; 95% CI = 1.05–2.66), problematic alcohol use (aRR = 1.63; 95% CI = 1.43–1.85), immunosuppression (aRR = 1.29; 95% CI = 1.09–1.53), and schizophrenia and psychotic disorders (aRR = 1.49; 95% CI = 1.23–1.82). In an analysis restricted to women of reproductive age, pregnancy (aRR = 2.69; 95% CI = 1.42–5.07) was associated with increased risk of hospital admission. Older age, male sex, substance use, intellectual and developmental disability, chronic comorbidities, and pregnancy increase the risk of COVID-19-related hospitalization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Héctor Alexander Velásquez García
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4R4, Canada; (H.A.V.G.); (J.W.); (K.S.); (M.C.); (D.R.); (M.O.); (C.R.); (N.P.); (S.D.); (E.G.); (G.M.); (M.K.)
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - James Wilton
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4R4, Canada; (H.A.V.G.); (J.W.); (K.S.); (M.C.); (D.R.); (M.O.); (C.R.); (N.P.); (S.D.); (E.G.); (G.M.); (M.K.)
| | - Kate Smolina
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4R4, Canada; (H.A.V.G.); (J.W.); (K.S.); (M.C.); (D.R.); (M.O.); (C.R.); (N.P.); (S.D.); (E.G.); (G.M.); (M.K.)
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Mei Chong
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4R4, Canada; (H.A.V.G.); (J.W.); (K.S.); (M.C.); (D.R.); (M.O.); (C.R.); (N.P.); (S.D.); (E.G.); (G.M.); (M.K.)
| | - Drona Rasali
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4R4, Canada; (H.A.V.G.); (J.W.); (K.S.); (M.C.); (D.R.); (M.O.); (C.R.); (N.P.); (S.D.); (E.G.); (G.M.); (M.K.)
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Michael Otterstatter
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4R4, Canada; (H.A.V.G.); (J.W.); (K.S.); (M.C.); (D.R.); (M.O.); (C.R.); (N.P.); (S.D.); (E.G.); (G.M.); (M.K.)
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Caren Rose
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4R4, Canada; (H.A.V.G.); (J.W.); (K.S.); (M.C.); (D.R.); (M.O.); (C.R.); (N.P.); (S.D.); (E.G.); (G.M.); (M.K.)
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Natalie Prystajecky
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4R4, Canada; (H.A.V.G.); (J.W.); (K.S.); (M.C.); (D.R.); (M.O.); (C.R.); (N.P.); (S.D.); (E.G.); (G.M.); (M.K.)
| | - Samara David
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4R4, Canada; (H.A.V.G.); (J.W.); (K.S.); (M.C.); (D.R.); (M.O.); (C.R.); (N.P.); (S.D.); (E.G.); (G.M.); (M.K.)
| | - Eleni Galanis
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4R4, Canada; (H.A.V.G.); (J.W.); (K.S.); (M.C.); (D.R.); (M.O.); (C.R.); (N.P.); (S.D.); (E.G.); (G.M.); (M.K.)
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Geoffrey McKee
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4R4, Canada; (H.A.V.G.); (J.W.); (K.S.); (M.C.); (D.R.); (M.O.); (C.R.); (N.P.); (S.D.); (E.G.); (G.M.); (M.K.)
| | - Mel Krajden
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4R4, Canada; (H.A.V.G.); (J.W.); (K.S.); (M.C.); (D.R.); (M.O.); (C.R.); (N.P.); (S.D.); (E.G.); (G.M.); (M.K.)
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z7, Canada
| | - Naveed Zafar Janjua
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4R4, Canada; (H.A.V.G.); (J.W.); (K.S.); (M.C.); (D.R.); (M.O.); (C.R.); (N.P.); (S.D.); (E.G.); (G.M.); (M.K.)
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-604-707-2514
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Education Attainment, Intelligence and COVID-19: A Mendelian Randomization Study. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10214870. [PMID: 34768390 PMCID: PMC8584527 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10214870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Evidence of socioeconomic inequality in COVID-19-related outcomes is emerging, with a higher risk of infection and mortality observed among individuals with lower education attainment. We aimed to evaluate the potential interventions against COVID-19 from the socioeconomic perspective, including improvement in education and intelligence. Methods: With a two-sample Mendelian randomization approach using summary statistics from the largest genome-wide association meta-analysis, univariable analysis was adopted to evaluate the total causal effects of genetically determined education attainment and intelligence on COVID-19 outcomes. Multivariable analysis was performed to dissect the potential mechanisms. Results: Genetic predisposition to higher education attainment by 1 SD (4.2 years) was independently associated with reduced risk of COVID-19 severity (OR = 0.508 [95% CI: 0.417–0.617]; p < 0.001). Genetically higher education attainment also lowered the risk of COVID-19 hospitalization (0.685 [0.593–0.791]; p < 0.001), but the association was attenuated after adjustment for beta estimates of intelligence in multivariable analysis. Genetically higher intelligence was associated with reduced risk of COVID-19 hospitalization (0.780 [0.655–0.930]; p = 0.006), with attenuation of association after adjustment for education attainment. Null association was observed for genetically determined education attainment and intelligence with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusion: Education may act independently and jointly with intelligence in improving the COVID-19 outcomes. Improving education may potentially alleviate the COVID-19-related health inequality.
Collapse
|
47
|
Gutierrez JM, Volkovs M, Poutanen T, Watson T, Rosella LC. Risk stratification for COVID-19 hospitalization: a multivariable model based on gradient-boosting decision trees. CMAJ Open 2021; 9:E1223-E1231. [PMID: 34933880 PMCID: PMC8695533 DOI: 10.9778/cmajo.20210036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increased demand for health care resources and, in some cases, shortage of medical equipment and staff. Our objective was to develop and validate a multivariable model to predict risk of hospitalization for patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. METHODS We used routinely collected health records in a patient cohort to develop and validate our prediction model. This cohort included adult patients (age ≥ 18 yr) from Ontario, Canada, who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid by polymerase chain reaction between Feb. 2 and Oct. 5, 2020, and were followed up through Nov. 5, 2020. Patients living in long-term care facilities were excluded, as they were all assumed to be at high risk of hospitalization for COVID-19. Risk of hospitalization within 30 days of diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection was estimated via gradient-boosting decision trees, and variable importance examined via Shapley values. We built a gradient-boosting model using the Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) algorithm and compared its performance against 4 empirical rules commonly used for risk stratifications based on age and number of comorbidities. RESULTS The cohort included 36 323 patients with 2583 hospitalizations (7.1%). Hospitalized patients had a higher median age (64 yr v. 43 yr), were more likely to be male (56.3% v. 47.3%) and had a higher median number of comorbidities (3, interquartile range [IQR] 2-6 v. 1, IQR 0-3) than nonhospitalized patients. Patients were split into development (n = 29 058, 80.0%) and held-out validation (n = 7265, 20.0%) cohorts. The gradient-boosting model achieved high discrimination (development cohort: area under the receiver operating characteristic curve across the 5 folds of 0.852; validation cohort: 0.8475) and strong calibration (slope = 1.01, intercept = -0.01). The patients who scored at the top 10% captured 47.4% of hospitalizations, and those who scored at the top 30% captured 80.6%. INTERPRETATION We developed and validated an accurate risk stratification model using routinely collected health administrative data. We envision that modelling such risk stratification based on routinely collected health data could support management of COVID-19 on a population health level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jahir M Gutierrez
- Layer 6 AI (Gutierrez, Volkovs, Poutanen); ICES (Volkovs, Watson, Rosella); Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Watson, Rosella), University of Toronto; Vector Institute (Rosella), Toronto, Ont
| | - Maksims Volkovs
- Layer 6 AI (Gutierrez, Volkovs, Poutanen); ICES (Volkovs, Watson, Rosella); Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Watson, Rosella), University of Toronto; Vector Institute (Rosella), Toronto, Ont
| | - Tomi Poutanen
- Layer 6 AI (Gutierrez, Volkovs, Poutanen); ICES (Volkovs, Watson, Rosella); Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Watson, Rosella), University of Toronto; Vector Institute (Rosella), Toronto, Ont
| | - Tristan Watson
- Layer 6 AI (Gutierrez, Volkovs, Poutanen); ICES (Volkovs, Watson, Rosella); Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Watson, Rosella), University of Toronto; Vector Institute (Rosella), Toronto, Ont
| | - Laura C Rosella
- Layer 6 AI (Gutierrez, Volkovs, Poutanen); ICES (Volkovs, Watson, Rosella); Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Watson, Rosella), University of Toronto; Vector Institute (Rosella), Toronto, Ont.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Chung H, He S, Nasreen S, Sundaram ME, Buchan SA, Wilson SE, Chen B, Calzavara A, Fell DB, Austin PC, Wilson K, Schwartz KL, Brown KA, Gubbay JB, Basta NE, Mahmud SM, Righolt CH, Svenson LW, MacDonald SE, Janjua NZ, Tadrous M, Kwong JC. Effectiveness of BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 covid-19 vaccines against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe covid-19 outcomes in Ontario, Canada: test negative design study. BMJ 2021; 374:n1943. [PMID: 34417165 PMCID: PMC8377789 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.n1943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To estimate the effectiveness of mRNA covid-19 vaccines against symptomatic infection and severe outcomes (hospital admission or death). DESIGN Test negative design study. SETTING Ontario, Canada between 14 December 2020 and 19 April 2021. PARTICIPANTS 324 033 community dwelling people aged ≥16 years who had symptoms of covid-19 and were tested for SARS-CoV-2. INTERVENTIONS BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) or mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccine. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and hospital admissions and deaths associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Multivariable logistic regression was adjusted for personal and clinical characteristics associated with SARS-CoV-2 and vaccine receipt to estimate vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic infection and severe outcomes. RESULTS Of 324 033 people with symptoms, 53 270 (16.4%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2 and 21 272 (6.6%) received at least one dose of vaccine. Among participants who tested positive, 2479 (4.7%) were admitted to hospital or died. Vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic infection observed ≥14 days after one dose was 60% (95% confidence interval 57% to 64%), increasing from 48% (41% to 54%) at 14-20 days after one dose to 71% (63% to 78%) at 35-41 days. Vaccine effectiveness observed ≥7 days after two doses was 91% (89% to 93%). Vaccine effectiveness against hospital admission or death observed ≥14 days after one dose was 70% (60% to 77%), increasing from 62% (44% to 75%) at 14-20 days to 91% (73% to 97%) at ≥35 days, whereas vaccine effectiveness observed ≥7 days after two doses was 98% (88% to 100%). For adults aged ≥70 years, vaccine effectiveness estimates were observed to be lower for intervals shortly after one dose but were comparable to those for younger people for all intervals after 28 days. After two doses, high vaccine effectiveness was observed against variants with the E484K mutation. CONCLUSIONS Two doses of mRNA covid-19 vaccines were observed to be highly effective against symptomatic infection and severe outcomes. Vaccine effectiveness of one dose was observed to be lower, particularly for older adults shortly after the first dose.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Maria E Sundaram
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sarah A Buchan
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Public Health Ontario, ON, Canada
- Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sarah E Wilson
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Public Health Ontario, ON, Canada
- Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Deshayne B Fell
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Peter C Austin
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kumanan Wilson
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Bruyère and Ottawa Hospital Research Institutes, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Kevin L Schwartz
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Public Health Ontario, ON, Canada
| | - Kevin A Brown
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Public Health Ontario, ON, Canada
| | - Jonathan B Gubbay
- Public Health Ontario, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nicole E Basta
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Salaheddin M Mahmud
- Vaccine and Drug Evaluation Centre, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Christiaan H Righolt
- Vaccine and Drug Evaluation Centre, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Lawrence W Svenson
- Analytics and Performance Reporting Branch, Alberta Health, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Division of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Shannon E MacDonald
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Naveed Z Janjua
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mina Tadrous
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jeffrey C Kwong
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Public Health Ontario, ON, Canada
- Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Reyes S, Cunningham AL, Kalincik T, Havrdová EK, Isobe N, Pakpoor J, Airas L, Bunyan RF, van der Walt A, Oh J, Mathews J, Mateen FJ, Giovannoni G. Update on the management of multiple sclerosis during the COVID-19 pandemic and post pandemic: An international consensus statement. J Neuroimmunol 2021; 357:577627. [PMID: 34139567 PMCID: PMC8183006 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2021.577627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
In this consensus statement, we provide updated recommendations on multiple sclerosis (MS) management during the COVID-19 crisis and the post-pandemic period applicable to neurology services around the world. Statements/recommendations were generated based on available literature and the experience of 13 MS expert panelists using a modified Delphi approach online. The statements/recommendations give advice regarding implementation of telemedicine; use of disease-modifying therapies and management of MS relapses; management of people with MS at highest risk from COVID-19; management of radiological monitoring; use of remote pharmacovigilance; impact on MS research; implications for lowest income settings, and other key issues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saúl Reyes
- Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK; Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Bogotá, Colombia; School of Medicine, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Tomas Kalincik
- CORe, Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Melbourne MS Centre, Department of Neurology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Eva Kubala Havrdová
- Department of Neurology and Center for Clinical Neuroscience, General University Hospital and First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Noriko Isobe
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Julia Pakpoor
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Laura Airas
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Reem F Bunyan
- Department of Neurology, Neurosciences Center, King Fahd Specialist Hospital (KFSH)-Dammam, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Anneke van der Walt
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jiwon Oh
- Division of Neurology, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Joela Mathews
- Department of Pharmacy, Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Farrah J Mateen
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gavin Giovannoni
- Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK; Department of Neurology, Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Jacob L, Koyanagi A, Smith L, Haro JM, Rohe AM, Kostev K. Prevalence of and factors associated with COVID-19 diagnosis in symptomatic patients followed in general practices in Germany between March 2020 and March 2021. Int J Infect Dis 2021; 111:37-42. [PMID: 34380089 PMCID: PMC8413670 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of and the factors associated with the diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in symptomatic patients followed in general practices in Germany between March 2020 and March 2021. Methods Symptomatic patients tested for COVID-19 and followed in one of 962 general practices in Germany from March 2020 to March 2021 were included in this study. Covariates included sex, age, and comorbidities present in at least 3% of the population. The association between these factors and the diagnosis of COVID-19 was analyzed using an adjusted logistic regression model. Results A total of 301,290 patients tested for COVID-19 were included in this study (54.7% women; mean [SD] age 44.6 [18.5] years). The prevalence of COVID-19 was 13.8% in this sample. Male sex and older age were positively and significantly associated with COVID-19. In terms of comorbidities, the strongest positive associations with COVID-19 were observed for cardiac arrhythmias, depression, and obesity. There was also a negative relationship between the odds of being diagnosed with COVID-19 and several conditions such as chronic sinusitis, asthma, and anxiety disorders. Conclusions Approximately 14% of symptomatic patients tested for COVID-19 were diagnosed with COVID-19 in German general practices from March 2020 to March 2021.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Louis Jacob
- Research and Development Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, Dr. Antoni Pujadas, 42, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona 08830, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain; Faculty of Medicine, University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Montigny-le-Bretonneux 78180, France
| | - Ai Koyanagi
- Research and Development Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, Dr. Antoni Pujadas, 42, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona 08830, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Pg. Lluis Companys 23, Barcelona 08010, Spain
| | - Lee Smith
- Centre for Health, Performance and Wellbeing, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Josep Maria Haro
- Research and Development Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, Dr. Antoni Pujadas, 42, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona 08830, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Anna M Rohe
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Solingen Municipal Hospital, Solingen, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|