Highlights of this issue

Treatment of tobacco dependence

In this narrative review, Le Foll and George describe the current state of knowledge regarding determinants of tobacco use and discuss the options available for the management of tobacco dependence.

See page 1373

Capacity and consent in Canada

This issue's Editorial criticizes the marked variation in capacity and consent legislation among Canadian provinces and illustrates how this creates challenges for patients and clinicians alike.

See page 1329

Subclinical tumours and thyroid carcinoma incidence

The incidence of differentiated thyroid carcinoma is increasing. In this longitudinal study over 12 years from a large cancer registry, Kent and colleagues found that small (≤ 2 cm), subclinical tumours accounted for the increased incidence, suggesting that advances in medical imaging, rather than a change in disease pattern, may be responsible. In a related commentary, How and Tabah discuss how these findings fit within the global body of evidence on thyroid carcinoma incidence.

See pages 1357 and 1383

Primary care and emergency department use among elderly patients

In this population-based cross-sectional study of records for 95 173 elderly Quebec residents, Ionescu-Ittu and colleagues found that having no primary physician and having a low level of continuity of care with a primary physician were factors associated with increased emergency department use by elderly patients. In a related commentary, Rosser and Schultz argue for the importance of promoting continuity of care.

See page 1362 and 1385

Research publication and Internet-based solicitation of lawsuits

In this prospective study, Juurlink and colleagues found that publication of an article documenting adverse effects of the drug gatifloxacin was followed by a rapid and persistent rise in websites soliciting plaintiffs for personal-injury litigation.

See page 1369

The Krever Commission — 10 years later

To mark the 10th anniversary of the Krever Commission investigating Canada's tainted blood tragedy, this stand-alone commentary by Wilson describes the profound public health impact of the Commission in successfully reforming the Canadian blood system.

See page 1387

Practice

Lim and Peddle describe a case of penetrating pharyngeal injury in an infant that developed after swallowing a foreign object (page 1351).

In this Public Health column, Siegrist discusses the likelihood of a vaccine being considered a trigger for a severe outcome (page 1352).