Spirometry And Asthma Management In Children And Adults In General Practice.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
Measurement of airflow obstruction, as measured by spirometry, is a vital element in the management of people with asthma. This study aims to examine the potential benefits to patients of using spirometry in the management of asthma in children and adults.
Recognition And Management Of Sleep Apnea In Primary Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$650,866.00
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA, ie frequent choking episodes during sleep, associated oxygen deprivation and sleep disturbance) affects at least 4% of the adult population and leads to serious health problems if untreated. These health problems include excessive tiredness, fall-asleep accidents, and premature stroke and heart attacks. Currently patients suspected of OSA are referred for management to specialist sleep centres, where sleep specialists order overnight laboratory tests to confirm the ....Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA, ie frequent choking episodes during sleep, associated oxygen deprivation and sleep disturbance) affects at least 4% of the adult population and leads to serious health problems if untreated. These health problems include excessive tiredness, fall-asleep accidents, and premature stroke and heart attacks. Currently patients suspected of OSA are referred for management to specialist sleep centres, where sleep specialists order overnight laboratory tests to confirm the diagnosis and test the effects of treatment (CPAP via a nasal mask) and thereafter direct management. These centres are not coping with current demand because of too few specialists and too few testing facilities. But worse than this up to 85% of cases in the community are not being identified. Many patients with OSA attend general practitioners for sometimes related conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and obesity, but are unrecognised for having a serious sleep disorder. This study will develop new and simplified methods of home diagnosis of OSA suitable for general practice. It will then use these methods to identify patients in general practice with moderate to severe OSA who will then enter a study that compares the effectiveness and the cost effectiveness of two models of care where the principle treatment will be CPAP: One is a new model which will be based in patients homes and general practice surgeries, the other, will be current standard care in our specialist sleep centre. We postulate that general practice based care will be as effective for patients as specialist sleep centre care but will be less costly. If this proves to be the case the study results will open the possibility for easier access to care for a larger number of patients with moderate to severe OSA, which will result in significant health benefits for the community.Read moreRead less
Asthma is a common problem for women during pregnancy. There is concern about how asthma and its treatment may effect the baby, and also concern that asthma may deteriorate during pregnancy. Variable adherence to treatment compounds this situation. Current clinical measures are not very accurate in determining the correct dose of inhaled therapy to be used for asthma. However, there is now good evidence from clinical trials in nonpregnant adults and children that this situation can be improved b ....Asthma is a common problem for women during pregnancy. There is concern about how asthma and its treatment may effect the baby, and also concern that asthma may deteriorate during pregnancy. Variable adherence to treatment compounds this situation. Current clinical measures are not very accurate in determining the correct dose of inhaled therapy to be used for asthma. However, there is now good evidence from clinical trials in nonpregnant adults and children that this situation can be improved by using markers of inflammation to guide therapy. One of the promising tests of inflammation is exhaled nitric oxide. We wish to determine whether asthma can be better managed during pregnancy by using nitric oxide to guide therapy. We will examine whether this approach leads to fewer asthma exacerbations, lower doses of corticosteroid, better asthma control, and better outcomes for the baby. To do this we have put together a team with expertise across each of the important areas of asthma, pregnancy, and research methods. This will enable the study to provide a clear indication of which treatment approach is better, and this can then be offered to pregnant women and their health care team.Read moreRead less
Centre For Research Excellence In Pulmonary Fibrosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,498,607.00
Summary
The Centre for Research excellence in Pulmonary Fibrosis (CRE-PF) aims to develop a sustainable nation-wide network, consisting of world recognized experts. The group will enable an integrative approach to solving PF through a layered strategy extending from molecules germane to disease pathogenesis, to human studies. With this approach the CRE-PF will set a new paradigm for synergy between academia, health care, health policy and the public, placing Australia at the forefront of innovation.
Prevention Of Asthma In Young Children Via Immunostimulation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$679,683.00
Summary
Persistent asthma is a major problem for Australia yet none of the current therapies do more that control the condition. The long-term solution is to prevent asthma from progressing to the persistent form. The major risk factors are: family history, early allergy and recurrent severe lower respiratory infections (sLRI) in the early life. We will conduct a randomized clinical trial to prevent sLRI using a novel bacterial-derived immunostimulant in infants at high risk of developing asthma.
Multi-centre RDBC Trial Of Oxygen Vs Air For Relief Of Breathlessness In Terminally-ill Patients With Intractable Dyspno
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$149,701.00
Summary
This study will compare the effects of oxygen and air in the relief of breathlessness in patients at the end of life who do not currently qualify for home oxygen. This landmark study will provide accurate information about any benefits that oxygen offers for breathlessness in this setting. This international multi-site study will ask 226 people to participate using either oxygen or air for 7 days while keeping a diary. We will measure breathlessness, quality of life, anxiety and side effects exp ....This study will compare the effects of oxygen and air in the relief of breathlessness in patients at the end of life who do not currently qualify for home oxygen. This landmark study will provide accurate information about any benefits that oxygen offers for breathlessness in this setting. This international multi-site study will ask 226 people to participate using either oxygen or air for 7 days while keeping a diary. We will measure breathlessness, quality of life, anxiety and side effects experienced.Read moreRead less