Spine surgeon Dr. Raphaële Charest-Morin is dedicated to providing her patients and their family members with as much information as possible about treatment options and potential outcomes. But she also knows it can be challenging to verify that patients fully understand the limitations of certain procedures even when those details were previously shared.

The race to find treatment approaches to improve patient outcomes and end the COVID-19 pandemic has involved the coordination of research teams and patients across British Columbia. At the helm of this undertaking is the COVID-19 Clinical Research Coordination Initiative (CRCI), of which Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) scientist Dr. Theodore Steiner is a member.

More than 10 per cent of Canadians over the age of 15 are affected by osteoarthritis¹, which is a painful disorder of the joints that occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of joint bones wears down. Osteoarthritis most commonly affects joints in the hands, knees, hips and spine. Many people develop the condition because of an injury. For example, a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee is a common injury that puts people at risk of developing osteoarthritis early in life. A study by Vancouver Coastal Health Institute Research scientist Dr.

Injuries of all kinds set off reactions within the body that can both help and hinder recovery. When it comes to damaged nerves, the sooner the healing process gets underway the better in terms of avoiding acute and potentially chronic pain caused by nerve damage, as found in carpal tunnel or sciatica.

While a vaccine is the primary medical intervention to prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, tracking and evaluating its effectiveness will be equally important. T-cells could answer important questions about both infection and immunity rates, along with the longevity of immunity protection. 

The Granzyme B (GzmB) enzyme has been identified as a driver of itchy and sometimes life-threatening pemphigoid diseases (PDs): autoimmune conditions that cause blistering and skin erosion that originate below the skin’s surface. New research led by Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) scientist Dr. David Granville has found that a gel containing a specific and potent inhibitor of GzmB activity, VTI-1002, resulted in significant skin improvements.

Liquid biopsies that examine circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) could be a game changer in aggressive bladder cancer diagnostics, according to the findings of a new study led by Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) researcher Dr. Alexander Wyatt. The study was published in Nature Communications in January 2021. 

Staying fit is an important part of overall health, but many of us are keen to avoid the soreness and stiffness that can follow a good workout. Dr. Chris Napier demystifies some popular muscle recovery methods, and gives us the low-down on science-based approaches that could make your new exercise routine more enjoyable and effective.

Nocturnal discharges from the intensive care unit (ICU) are statistically linked to worse patient outcomes, including readmission to the ICU and a higher risk of mortality. However, new research out of Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) has found that Vancouver General Hospital’s (VGH's) novel follow-up care may be adding a layer of protection against this concerning trend.