Direct-Acting Antivirals and Risk of Hepatitis C Extrahepatic Manifestations.

Importance: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with various extrahepatic manifestations (EHMs) that can significantly impact patients' quality of life and overall health outcomes.

Objective: To assess the association between successful direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment and the risk of EHMs in individuals with chronic HCV infection.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This population-based retrospective cohort study used data from 1990 to 2021, with a median follow-up of 2.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Control Measures on Screening and Diagnoses of Type 2 Diabetes in British Columbia.

Introduction: In British Columbia (BC), Canada, COVID-19 and associated control measures impacted routine care for patients with diabetes. Some of these measures may have impacted timely screening and diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. We assessed the impact of control measures on screening and diagnosis of type 2 diabetes in BC.

Long COVID Discourse in Canada, the United States, and Europe: Topic Modeling and Sentiment Analysis of Twitter Data.

Background: Social media serves as a vast repository of data, offering insights into public perceptions and emotions surrounding significant societal issues. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, long COVID (formally known as post-COVID-19 condition) has emerged as a chronic health condition, profoundly impacting numerous lives and livelihoods. Given the dynamic nature of long COVID and our evolving understanding of it, effectively capturing people's sentiments and perceptions through social media becomes increasingly crucial.

Healthcare utilization among COVID-19 mRNA vaccine-associated myocarditis cases: a matched retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: We evaluated all-cause healthcare utilization among those with vaccine-associated myocarditis, compared to vaccinees without postvaccination myocarditis.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study in individuals aged 12 and older who received COVID-19 mRNA vaccination in British Columbia. Exposure was defined as an ED visit or hospitalization for myocarditis within 21 days postvaccination.

Association of hepatitis B virus treatment with all-cause and liver-related mortality among individuals with HBV and cirrhosis: a population-based cohort study.

Background: We evaluated the association of hepatitis B virus (HBV) treatment with all-cause, and liver-related mortality among individuals with HBV and cirrhosis in British Columbia (BC), Canada.

Methods: This analysis included people diagnosed with HBV and had cirrhosis in the BC Hepatitis Testers Cohort, including data on all individuals diagnosed with HBV from 1990 to 2015 in BC and integrated with healthcare administrative data. We followed people with cirrhosis from the first cirrhosis diagnosis date until death or December 31, 2020.

Long-Term Health-Related Quality of Life in Working-Age COVID-19 Survivors: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Most working-age (18-64) adults have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, and some may have developed post-COVID-19 condition (PCC). However, long-term health-related quality of life (HRQOL) following infection remains uncharacterized.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, COVID-19 survivors from throughout British Columbia (BC), Canada, completed a questionnaire >2 years after infection.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Hepatitis C Treatment Initiation in British Columbia, Canada: An Interrupted Time Series Study.

We investigated the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on hepatitis C (HCV) treatment initiation, including by birth cohort and injection drug use status, in British Columbia (BC), Canada. Using population data from the BC COVID-19 Cohort, we conducted interrupted time series analyses, estimating changes in HCV treatment initiation following the introduction of pandemic-related policies in March 2020. The study included a pre-policy period (April 2018 to March 2020) and three follow-up periods (April to December 2020, January to December 2021, and January to December 2022).

Risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events After SARS-CoV-2 Infection in British Columbia: A Population-Based Study.

Background: COVID-19 is associated with increased risk of post-acute cardiovascular outcomes. Population-based evidence for long periods of observation is still limited.

Methods: This population-based cohort study was conducted using data (2020-2021) from the British Columbia COVID-19 Cohort.

Cohort profile: the British Columbia COVID-19 Cohort (BCC19C)-a dynamic, linked population-based cohort.

Purpose: The British Columbia COVID-19 Cohort (BCC19C) was developed from an innovative, dynamic surveillance platform and is accessed/analyzed through a cloud-based environment. The platform integrates recently developed provincial COVID-19 datasets (refreshed daily) with existing administrative holdings and provincial registries (refreshed weekly/monthly). The platform/cohort were established to inform the COVID-19 response in near "real-time" and to answer more in-depth epidemiologic questions.

Ethnic Disparities in COVID-19 Vaccine Mistrust and Receipt in British Columbia, Canada: Population Survey.

Background: Racialized populations in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Higher vaccine hesitancy has been reported among racial and ethnic minorities in some of these countries. In the United Kingdom, for example, higher vaccine hesitancy has been observed among the South Asian population and Black compared with the White population, and this has been attributed to lack of trust in government due to historical and ongoing racism and discrimination.

Treatment of HCV with direct-acting antivirals on reducing mortality related to extrahepatic manifestations: a large population-based study in British Columbia, Canada.

Background: HCV infection is associated with mortality due to extrahepatic manifestations (EHM). Sustained virologic response (SVR) following direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy has been linked to decreased all-cause and liver-related mortality. However, evidence regarding the impact of DAA on EHM-related deaths is lacking.

COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness by HIV status and history of injection drug use: a test-negative analysis.

Introduction: People living with HIV (PLWH) and/or who inject drugs may experience lower vaccine effectiveness (VE) against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods: A validated algorithm was applied to population-based, linked administrative datasets in the British Columbia COVID-19 Cohort (BCC19C) to ascertain HIV status and create a population of PLWH and matched HIV-negative individuals. The study population was limited to individuals who received an RT-PCR laboratory test for SARS-CoV-2 between 15 December 2020 and 21 November 2021 in BC, Canada.

The Impact of Mask Mandates on Face Mask Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Longitudinal Survey Study.

Background: Face mask use has been associated with declines in COVID-19 incidence rates worldwide. A handful of studies have examined the factors associated with face mask use in North America during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, much less is known about the patterns of face mask use and the impact of mask mandates during this time. This information could have important policy implications, now and in the event of future pandemics.

Observed versus expected rates of myocarditis after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination: a population-based cohort study.

Background: Postmarketing evaluations have linked myocarditis to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines. We sought to estimate the incidence of myocarditis after mRNA vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, and to compare the incidence with expected rates based on historical background rates in British Columbia.

Methods: We conducted an observational study using population health administrative data from the BC COVID-19 Cohort from Dec.

Cohort profile: the British Columbia COVID-19 Population Mixing Patterns Survey (BC-Mix).

Purpose: Several non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as physical distancing, handwashing, self-isolation, and school and business closures, were implemented in British Columbia (BC) following the first laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19 on 26 January 2020, to minimise in-person contacts that could spread infections. The BC COVID-19 Population Mixing Patterns Survey (BC-Mix) was established as a surveillance system to measure behaviour and contact patterns in BC over time to inform the timing of the easing/re-imposition of control measures. In this paper, we describe the BC-Mix survey design and the demographic characteristics of respondents.

Effectiveness of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccines Against Hospitalization and Death in Canada: A Multiprovincial, Test-Negative Design Study.

Background: A major goal of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination is to prevent severe outcomes (hospitalizations and deaths). We estimated the effectiveness of messenger RNA (mRNA) and ChAdOx1 COVID-19 vaccines against severe outcomes in 4 Canadian provinces between December 2020 and September 2021.

Methods: We conducted this multiprovincial, retrospective, test-negative study among community-dwelling adults aged ≥18 years in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, and Manitoba using linked provincial databases and a common study protocol.

Tracking Public Attitudes Toward COVID-19 Vaccination on Tweets in Canada: Using Aspect-Based Sentiment Analysis.

Background: The development and approval of COVID-19 vaccines have generated optimism for the end of the COVID-19 pandemic and a return to normalcy. However, vaccine hesitancy, often fueled by misinformation, poses a major barrier to achieving herd immunity.

Objective: We aim to investigate Twitter users' attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination in Canada after vaccine rollout.

Mental Health and Substance Use Associated with Hospitalization among People with COVID-19: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

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.

Impact of HCV infection and ethnicity on incident type 2 diabetes: findings from a large population-based cohort in British Columbia.

Introduction: Increasing evidence indicates that chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with higher risk of diabetes. Previous studies showed ethnic disparities in the disease burden of diabetes, with increased risk in Asian population. We described the incidence of type 2 diabetes related to HCV infection and assessed the concurrent impact of HCV infection and ethnicity on the risk of diabetes.

Cohort profile: development and characteristics of a retrospective cohort of individuals dispensed prescription opioids for non-cancer pain in British Columbia, Canada.

Purpose: Prescription opioids (POs) are widely prescribed for chronic non-cancer pain but are associated with several risks and limited long-term benefit. Large, linked data sources are needed to monitor their harmful effects. We developed and characterised a retrospective cohort of people dispensed POs.

Differences in risk factors for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency virus infection by ethnicity: A large population-based cohort study in British Columbia, Canada.

Objectives: Addressing the needs of ethnic minorities will be key to finding undiagnosed individuals living with hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). To inform screening initiatives in British Columbia (BC), Canada, the factors associated with HBV and/or HCV and/or HIV infection among different ethnic groups within a large population-based cohort were assessed.

Methods: Persons diagnosed with HBV, HCV, or HIV in BC between 1990 and 2015 were grouped as East Asian, South Asian, Other Visible Minority (African, Central Asian, Latin American, Pacific Islander, West Asian, unknown ethnicity), and Not a Visible Minority, using a validated name-recognition software.

Tracking COVID-19 Discourse on Twitter in North America: Infodemiology Study Using Topic Modeling and Aspect-Based Sentiment Analysis.

Background: Social media is a rich source where we can learn about people's reactions to social issues. As COVID-19 has impacted people's lives, it is essential to capture how people react to public health interventions and understand their concerns.

Objective: We aim to investigate people's reactions and concerns about COVID-19 in North America, especially in Canada.

Role of unsafe medical practices and sexual behaviours in the hepatitis B and C syndemic and HIV co-infection in Rwanda: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: This study describes the burden of the hepatitis B, C and HIV co-infections and assesses associated risk factors.

Setting: This analysis used data from a viral hepatitis screening campaign conducted in six districts in Rwanda from April to May 2019. Ten health centres per district were selected according to population size and distance.