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Article History

Received: 12 April 2023

Accepted: 14 March 2025

First Online: 31 March 2025

Declarations

:

: This study was exempt from research ethics board review under article 2.2 of the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (2022) (). Pursuant to article 2.2, research does not require research ethics board review when it relies exclusively on information that is publicly available through a mechanism set out by legislation or regulation and that is protected by law. Exemption is based on the presence of a custodian/steward, designated in accordance with access to information and privacy legislation, who protects privacy and proprietary interests associated with the information. Our study involved analysis of previously collected anonymized/de-identified administrative and clinical data (i.e., no direct identifiers); did not involve linkage to additional data sources; did not include direct follow-up or contact of patients; and, adhered to the data providers’ terms and conditions for access, use, and dissemination, including privacy and confidentiality guidelines to prevent disclosure. The authors confirm that all methods were carried out in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations of the Declaration of Helsinki.

: Not applicable.

: The authors declare no competing interests.