Novel Retinal Architectural Vascular Signs And Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease: The AusDiab Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$754,254.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes are major health problems. Identifying 'people at risk' is critical to design preventative strategies. We have developed new computer software to measure detailed characteristics of retinal vessels. By appling this system to predict CVD or diabetes in the AusDiab Study we aim to find 'the best combination of risk factors' to predict CVD and diabetes. This will open up the possibility of new risk assessment using a simple 'eye scan.'
Obesity, Overweight And Hospitalisation: Identifying Targets For Interventions To Prevent Adverse Health Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$603,755.00
Summary
Obesity is an important and rapidly increasing health problem, especially in indigenous communities. The proposed project investigates how obesity affects the risk of hospital admission in Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, including providing evidence regarding the nature of the hospitalisation, the cost and whether specific groups are at a higher risk of obesity-related hospitalisation. In doing so it aims to identify targets for intervention to reduce obesity-related hospitalisation
The proportion of the population over 65 years of age is increasing, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of disability and death in this group of people. Angina, heart failure and stroke in elderly people often result in considerable disability and in many instances in a need for changed living circumstances such as admission to nursing homes. Consequently there is an important need to understand how to prevent and manage cardiovascular diseases in elderly people. Although CVD oc ....The proportion of the population over 65 years of age is increasing, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of disability and death in this group of people. Angina, heart failure and stroke in elderly people often result in considerable disability and in many instances in a need for changed living circumstances such as admission to nursing homes. Consequently there is an important need to understand how to prevent and manage cardiovascular diseases in elderly people. Although CVD occurs much more frequently in older persons, much of the epidemiological information on CVD risk factors and risk estimation comes from studies of middle-aged populations. Recently there has been an increased focus on whether the established relationships hold or differ in the elderly. This has generated debate about the relative value and effectiveness of treating risk factors in elderly people. This study, which is based on comprehensive and long-term risk factor, mortality and morbidity data from the Busselton Health Study and Health in Men Study, will lead to a better understanding of classic and new CVD risk factors in older persons and will contribute positively to the debate about the relative value and effectiveness of attempting to modify risk factors in the elderly. Further, it will facilitate improved methods for CVD risk assessment in older people and hence assist in determining whether which preventive actions to implement in the elderly.Read moreRead less
Environmental Risk Factors For Iron Overload-related Disease In A Cohort Study Of Hereditary Haemochromatosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$152,936.00
Summary
Results published last year from our Melbourne HealthIron study of hereditary haemochromatosis (iron overload disease) show that almost one third of the 50,000 men genetically at risk of iron overload in Australia will develop symptoms of disease including fatigue, arthritis and liver damage. We will use data from the recent follow-up of the Health2020 cohort, of which HealthIron is a sub-study, to determine environmental risk factors for progression to disease in people with iron overload.
Vitamin D And Risk Of Cancer And Mortality In The Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$519,829.00
Summary
Overseas studies indicate that vitamin D might protect against certain cancers and other diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. Vitamin D is made when skin is exposed to sunlight. Because sunlight is stronger in Australia than in most of the USA and Europe, where most studies were conducted, the results of those studies might not be relevant to Australia. In this study, we will see if vitamin D is important for cancer and mortality in Australia.
Long-term Outcome After Stroke: Survival, Stroke Recurrence, Functional Ability And Costs.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$649,971.00
Summary
Stroke is the third most common cause of death in Australia, and is more common in the older age groups. Because the population most at risk of developing stroke is growing faster than the rest of the population, it is likely that there will be a large increase in the number of strokes occurring in coming years. At 1 year after stroke about one-third of patients have died, a third remain severely disabled and a third recover with minimal disability. In Australia, there is no information on outco ....Stroke is the third most common cause of death in Australia, and is more common in the older age groups. Because the population most at risk of developing stroke is growing faster than the rest of the population, it is likely that there will be a large increase in the number of strokes occurring in coming years. At 1 year after stroke about one-third of patients have died, a third remain severely disabled and a third recover with minimal disability. In Australia, there is no information on outcome beyond 5 years. It is thought that at 10 years after stroke about 70% of patients will have died, and a further 5-10% will have had another nonfatal stroke. The aim of this study is to assess the long-term outcome of patients with stroke. These will include measures of survival, stroke recurrence, and ability to perform usual daily activities. The use of health care and community resources and the associated costs of this will also be assessed. Information on survival patterns, stroke recurrence, disability and costs will be of great value for health service planning. Such information will also be useful to patients, their families, and medical staff who treat these patients.Read moreRead less
DNA methylation is a process that plays a critical role throughout life by altering the expression of genes. We aim to investigate the potential use of methylation as a target for prevention strategies and for men with no clinical evidence of disease, as a marker of their risk for prostate cancer, particularly its aggressive form.