BackgroundThe incidence rate of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) was determined in the Calgary Metropolitan Area, a major Canadian city.MethodsData from all patients diagnosed with AML between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2015 were retrieved from a single, centralized cancer cytogenetics laboratory for bone marrow samples, the sole diagnostic facility of its kind in Southern Alberta.ResultsThe calculated incidence rate was 2.79 cases per 100,000 person-years with a median age of 60, slightly lower than previously published data. The age-standardized incidence rate for Canada was 3.46 cases per 100,000 person-years. The higher value is reflective of Calgary’s younger population compared to the rest of Canada. Higher male incidence and greatest incidence occurring at approximately the age of 85 is similar to data from other developed countries. The lower incidence rates and median age of diagnosis, in comparison with that of other high-income nations, may be due to differences in the proportion of aging citizens in the population.ConclusionThis is the first published incidence rate of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in Canada across all age groups.

Background Hyponatremia is a common and under-recognized adverse drug reaction of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants. Despite its clinical importance, there are few large-scale studies on the factors associated with hyponatremia.Objective The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of hyponatremia and to identify patient factors associated with hyponatremia in a large, population-based cohort initiating new prescriptions for citalopram. Methods We included all patients with a new prescription for citalopram during 2010-2017, inclusive, with baseline and post-initiation serum sodium values available. Data were obtained from an Alberta Health Pharmacy database to identify new citalopram prescriptions. Laboratory values for patients with new prescriptions were obtained from linked Calgary Laboratory Services data. Incident hyponatremia was defined as serum sodium level < 135 mmol/L, following prescription initiation. Associations were determined by performing Cox regression with time-varying covariate analysis, with the development of hyponatremia as the dependent variable. Results A total of 19,679 patients with new prescriptions were identified; 12,842 females and 6837 males. The mean age was 55.48 years (SD 21.35). Of these patients, 3250 (16.5%) developed hyponatremia, 1996 (15.5% of) females and 1254 (18.3% of) males (p = 0.002). Cox regression showed significant associations of hyponatremia with lower baseline sodium (HR 0.788), older age (HR 1.029), thiazide diuretic use (HR 1.141), and male sex (HR 1.168). Pharmaceutical manufacturer or strength of citalopram did not have significant effects on the development of hyponatremia. ConclusionThis study provides additional data on the predictors of hyponatremia among patients initiating citalopram therapy. We report a 16.5% incidence of hyponatremia after starting citalopram treatment, and significant new findings include a higher incidence in males. This is the first published incidence of hyponatremia following the initiation of citalopram treatment across all ages in Canada.

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