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Cision Canada
7 hours ago
- Health
- Cision Canada
New real-world study reveals oral corticosteroid overuse in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps Français
According to the ACTIONS study, 39% of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) faced overexposure to oral corticosteroids (OCS) before beginning biologic therapy. ACTIONS was carried out by GSK in collaboration with Asthma Canada and leading Canadian Rhinologists. MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 10, 2025 /CNW/ - A new Canadian real-world study, ACTIONS (chAracterizing oral Corticosteroid use in patients with chronic rhInOsinusitis with Nasal polypS in Canada), revealed patterns of oral corticosteroid (OCS) use among patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) prior to starting biologic treatments. The full findings were recently presented at the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Annual Meeting in Fredericton, New Brunswick. The study findings revealed that 81% of CRSwNP patients were prescribed OCS at least once in the 24 months prior to starting a biologic treatment with 39% of patients being overexposed to OCS by the time they started a biologic. These findings highlight the need for heightened awareness and education to prevent OCS overexposure and enhance patient care. CRSwNP is a chronic inflammatory disease of the paranasal sinuses and nasal mucosa leading to the growth of nasal polyps; 1 CRSwNP is associated with significant disease burden which negatively affects patients' quality of life. 2 Treatment for CRSwNP involves a combination of medical and surgical interventions. OCS are a common and effective medical treatment option for patients with CRSwNP, often used alongside nasal saline irrigation for short-term control of symptoms. 3 Despite their proven short-term efficacy, OCS are also associated with increased risk of short- and long-term adverse effects, with guidelines in respiratory disease recommending limiting use when possible. 4,5 Biologics have emerged as a newer treatment option with demonstrated effectiveness in managing CRSwNP, including decreasing the dependence on OCS. 6-8 The ACTIONS study revealed critical patterns of OCS use among CRSwNP patients, underscoring a significant unmet need that healthcare professionals should address. ACTIONS was conducted by GSK and Asthma Canada in collaboration with Dr. Yvonne Chan from the University of Toronto, Dr. Marie-Noëlle Corriveau from Université Laval, and Dr. Andrew Thamboo from the University of British Columbia, with research support, input, and analytics provided by IQVIA Solutions Canada Inc. "Our findings indicate that a significant proportion of severe CRSwNP patients are at risk of OCS overexposure. By considering earlier biologic initiation, when indicated, we can potentially reduce this risk and improve patient outcomes. Furthermore, collaboration among healthcare providers to promote awareness and adherence to these protocols will be vital in transforming patient care," said Dr. Marie-Noëlle Corriveau. "The data clearly indicate that a proactive strategy involving earlier biologic therapy can play a pivotal role in managing CRSwNP more efficiently. Embracing these new approaches is not just beneficial, but essential for improving the quality of life for our patients," said Dr. Yvonne Chan. "CRSwNP and asthma often coexist, share underlying mechanisms and influence each other's severity and management. This study is a critical step forward in understanding the treatment landscape for CRSwNP. It shows how vital it is to reduce our dependence on OCS and to find more sustainable and effective treatments. Ultimately, this could mean better health and quality of life for patients," said Jeffrey Beach, President & CEO, Asthma Canada. "As a leader in respiratory health, GSK remains committed to be at the forefront of the fight against respiratory disease. The ACTIONS study further underscores this dedication by providing valuable insights, fostering scientific and research excellence, and driving innovation," added Dr. Michelle Horn, Country Medical Director, GSK Canada. About CRSwNP CRSwNP is caused by inflammation of the nasal lining that can lead to soft tissue growths, known as nasal polyps. 3,6 People with CRSwNP experience symptoms such as nasal obstruction, loss of smell, facial pain, sleep disturbance, infections and nasal discharge that can significantly affect their emotional and physical well-being. 1,6,10-11 IL-5 is a key cytokine (protein) in type 2 inflammation characterized by eosinophils (a type of white blood cell), which is present in up to 85% of people with CRSwNP. 1,6,10,11 IL-5 and eosinophils are frequently found in high concentrations in sinus and nasal polyp tissue of patients with CRSwNP and are associated with more severe disease. 13-19 About OCS Oral corticosteroids (OCS) are systemic anti-inflammatory medications used to manage inflammatory conditions, including respiratory diseases, and allergic reactions. Unlike inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), which target the lungs directly, and intranasal corticosteroids (INCS) which target the nasal airways, OCS are ingested and distributed throughout the body. Common types include prednisone, methylprednisolone, and hydrocortisone. The use of OCS, including in repeated short bursts, can lead to significant health risks. The wide range of adverse effects associated with OCS include increased risk of infection and cardiovascular events, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes mellitus, weight gain, and mood and behaviour disturbances. 20 In the ACTIONS study, overexposure to OCS is defined as total yearly dose of OCS ≥1,000 mg given that the risk of adverse effects significantly increases once a patient receives a cumulative lifetime exposure of 1000mg of OCS. 20 About GSK in respiratory GSK continues to build on decades of pioneering work to deliver more ambitious treatment goals, develop the next generation standard of care, and redefine the future of respiratory medicine for hundreds of millions of people with respiratory diseases. With an industry-leading respiratory portfolio and pipeline of vaccines, targeted biologics and inhaled medicines, we are focused on improving outcomes and the lives of people living with all types of asthma and COPD along with less understood refractory chronic cough or rarer conditions like systemic sclerosis with interstitial lung disease. GSK is harnessing the latest science and technology with the aim of modifying the underlying disease dysfunction and preventing progression. About GSK GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together. Find out more at References SOURCE GlaxoSmithKline Inc.
National Post
02-06-2025
- Business
- National Post
Christopher Dummitt: Systemic discrimination is legal in Canada
Article content One wonders whether it even comes up when employers or universities set about establishing discriminatory affirmative action programs. Or, more likely, are they working from a consensus within the institution that there really are disadvantaged groups — and that this is obviously caused by discrimination? Article content We should be clear: it's entirely possible that disadvantages are caused by subtle forms of discrimination that continue despite Canada's now very equal legal system. It's certainly possible — and the idea ought to get a fair hearing. Article content But in many progressive circles today, it's now considered rude to even ask the question — to wonder whether social and economic differences between groups might be caused by something other than prejudice. Article content This is why the topic of viewpoint diversity — in our universities, our law schools, in the world of expertise — isn't the esoteric topic it might seem. Article content Even as the wider Canadian society seems to be retreating from the excesses of cancel culture and woke shibboleths (good news on that front), the staffing of our knowledge institutions, our universities and our law schools still overwhelmingly comes from those on the left — from the same groups who assume that socioeconomic variation is, de facto, linked to discrimination. Article content Article content These are the people who get to decide when — if ever — the only legal form of systemic discrimination allowed in Canada (affirmative action) will ever end. Article content There's plenty of evidence coming out of think-tanks and even Statistics Canada that the Canada of 2025 has moved a long way from the Canada of 1981, where affirmative action was justified. The most economically well-to-do Canadians are not those of European ancestry — despite the popular perception to the contrary. The groups of Canadians with the highest income — and highest levels of educational attainment — are those of South Asian and Chinese ancestry. Whites tend to come in the middle of the pack, while Black Canadians and Indigenous people are lower down the economic scale. If affirmative action is going to continue, the public needs to be reassured that those justifying its existence, at the very least, keep up to date with which groups are up and which are down — though even this framing shows how divisive such policies would be. Article content Article content There's also plenty of evidence that the 'race conscious' programs allowed by the Charter — and pushed by DEI advocates — actually exacerbate ethnic conflict in Canada. Article content Article content Article content
Globe and Mail
29-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Canadians remain optimistic about national unity regardless of political differences, data show
In the leadup to recent political disruptions, including tensions with the U.S. and growing discussion of Western separatism, most Canadians were hopeful about the future of national unity and appeared to harbour positive or neutral feelings toward each other, regardless of differences in political views, according to newly released data. Two Statistics Canada reports published Wednesday delve into measures of national unity and social cohesion, a relatively new area of exploration for the federal statistics agency. As the research was conducted in April, 2024, it does not capture recent shifts in sentiment in response to more recent developments such as the trade war with the U.S. However, one of the reports says, the data 'serve as a useful baseline for Canadians' sense of national unity and their societal outlook prior to these events and future comparisons.' Most respondents were hopeful about the future of Canadian society. More than eight out of 10 said they were hopeful about unity, and a similar proportion said so about democracy. A slightly lower proportion – 75 per cent – said they were hopeful about the economic opportunities. However, difficulty meeting financial obligations and poor health conditions were linked to relatively lower hopefulness about unity. Majority of Canadians think Western separatism is serious: poll The data also suggest that national unity had rebounded last year, after declining during the pandemic. The research found 80 per cent of respondents reported a strong or very strong sense of belonging to Canada by late 2024. That's up from 72 per cent in mid-2022. (Statscan warns that comparisons across time should be made with caution, because different methods were used to measure unity.) The new data also sheds light on how Canadians felt about each other, including those who may hold different political views. More than three quarters of respondents had warm or neutral feelings about people whether they share their political views or not. 'That stands in slight contrast to some other work that's been done in this area, and only 2.4 per cent who had very warm feelings towards people with similar political views also had very cold feelings towards people with different political views,' said Samuel MacIsaac, a senior research analyst at Statscan who authored both reports, in an interview. However, Canadians were less forgiving toward those who hold different views on racism and gender identity, according to the data. About a quarter of respondents who held very warm feelings toward people who share their views on racism held very cold views on those who do not. Dr. MacIsaac acknowledged that Statscan hasn't historically delved into the interplay between social cohesion and politics, making these studies novel: 'There was definitely a lot of caution taken, because as a national statistical agency … we have an apolitical mandate." He added: 'You'll notice, right off the bat, these questions differ from pollsters and academics that may have more liberty in terms of measuring people's political views.' Statscan has in the past looked into how Canadians feel about others who belong to the same social circle, such as friends, colleagues and neighbours. However, Dr. MacIsaac said overlooking how they feel about people who do not belong to their 'in group' could overstate the level of social cohesiveness in society. Since spring last year, when the data were collected, the issue of unity has risen to the top of the political agenda because of tensions within the country and with the United States. While the federal election had sparked discussions about Western provinces seceding from the country, recent polling shows only a minority of Canadians in those regions are interested in separation. U.S. President Donald Trump's talk of annexing Canada as well has his decision to impose tariffs have also reignited a sense of national pride in this country. Prime Minister Mark Carney will have a chance to put his approach to national unity to the test early next week in Saskatoon, when he meets with provincial and territorial premiers. Mr. Carney has said he wants to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers and support large nation-building infrastructure projects.
