Implementing Multiple Imputation With Sensitivity Analysis In Large-scale Longitudinal Studies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$473,507.00
Summary
Missing data arise in most research studies and if not handled appropriately can mean the study results are not correct. With researchers now conducting larger and longer studies the challenges posed by missing data are increasing. In this grant we study a powerful technique for handling missing data, which in its current form often cannot be applied effectively in large studies. By developing this approach we will improve the accuracy of results from large-scale epidemiological studies.
LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF BEHAVIOUR AND EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS IN YOUNG PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$761,790.00
Summary
Families caring for young people with intellectual disabilities face major burdens of care if the young person also has serious behaviour problems. These behaviour problems are also costly for our community. This project is intended to assist young people and their carers by providing new information about the factors contributing to these behaviour problems and how they develop over time. The project makes use of an internationally unique follow up study which has followed a group of young peop ....Families caring for young people with intellectual disabilities face major burdens of care if the young person also has serious behaviour problems. These behaviour problems are also costly for our community. This project is intended to assist young people and their carers by providing new information about the factors contributing to these behaviour problems and how they develop over time. The project makes use of an internationally unique follow up study which has followed a group of young people aged 4-18 for the last eight years. The young people are now entering a critical age band facing many changes in their lives such as the possibility of independent living, work challenges, as well as a search for new social relationships and day activities in the post-school period. Also they face increased risk for mental health problems which most commonly emerge in this age group, particularly psychosis and depression. This project promises to determine how the young people cope with these challenges and what steps our community needs to make to assist them and their families to reach an optimal adjustment.Read moreRead less
A Longitudinal Study Of Psychopathology In People With Intellectual Disability
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$999,803.00
Summary
This project will further develop the research opportunities of an internationally unique 15 year follow up study of the mental health of young Australians with ID. We have shown that this group has 2-3 times the risk of suffering serious emotional and behavioural problems that are an added heavy burden on the individual, their family and carers and the community. These problems often are not recognised but are as common as schizophrenia in the community. The study will continue to use a combina ....This project will further develop the research opportunities of an internationally unique 15 year follow up study of the mental health of young Australians with ID. We have shown that this group has 2-3 times the risk of suffering serious emotional and behavioural problems that are an added heavy burden on the individual, their family and carers and the community. These problems often are not recognised but are as common as schizophrenia in the community. The study will continue to use a combination of questionnaire survey and in depth interviews of the young adults and their families or carers to track the course of their mental health. The study commenced in 1990 with nearly 1000 young people with ID aged 4-18 years and their progress has been reviewed every 2-3 years in over 75% of the original group. During the next 5 years we plan to follow their mental health during the critical stage of young adult life. During this time there is the greatest risk of mental illnesses such as depression and schizophrenia and the stresses of adjusting to new daily occupations, independent living or residential care and social contact away from the family. We will be able to study the specific emotional and behavioural problems faced by young adults with the main known causes of ID such as Down, Fragile X, Prader Willi and William Syndromes, as well as those who have autism. The great benefit of a long term follow up study is that it allows us to study the links between earlier family environmental, psychological and biological factors and subsequent mental health problems. We can also demonstrate the impact that mental illness in a young person with ID has on the family and parental mental health. The findings have implications for better diagnosis, improved care and management, early intervention and prevention of these common severe and under recognized mental health problems in this disadvantaged group of young Australians and their families and carers.Read moreRead less
Environmental And Metabolic Influences On Musculoskeletal And Other Diseases In A Cohort Of Elderly Women
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$840,575.00
Summary
Osteoporosis is a largely preventable disease yet 1 in 10 Australians have osteoporosis. Every year >64,000 osteoporotic fractures occur, which is one every 8.1 minutes and women are three times as likely to have the disease than men. The Bone and Calcium Research Group at the University of Western Australia, has been monitoring a cohort of elderly women for since 1998. This study is called the Calcium Intake Fracture Outcome Study or CAIFOS. 1,500 women were recruited to study whether a dail ....Osteoporosis is a largely preventable disease yet 1 in 10 Australians have osteoporosis. Every year >64,000 osteoporotic fractures occur, which is one every 8.1 minutes and women are three times as likely to have the disease than men. The Bone and Calcium Research Group at the University of Western Australia, has been monitoring a cohort of elderly women for since 1998. This study is called the Calcium Intake Fracture Outcome Study or CAIFOS. 1,500 women were recruited to study whether a daily calcium supplement for 5 years helps to prevent fractures compared to a diet without a supplement. Each year the study participants are reviewed and asked whether or not they have broken any bones and have other measurements to monitor their bone and cardiovascular health and cognitive function. The subjects will end the treatment phase in 2003 and they will find out the results of the study. More than 93% are interested in being followed for a further 5 years, where they will be contacted every 6 months and asked questions about their general health including information on fracture, hospital visits and changes in medication use. The subjects will have a clinic visits at 2 and 5 years post treatment. With the ongoing collection of adverse event data and metabolic and environmental data from the first phase of the study, we will be able to examine the metabolic and environmental factors that influence musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and mental health. This is important to determine how we can prevent disease to maintain the quality of life and independence in the elderly, a growing segment of the population.Read moreRead less
Practical Tools For Robust Analysis Of Large Epidemiological Studies With Incomplete Data
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$358,492.00
Summary
Studies of the causes and consequences of health outcomes follow large cohorts of individuals for long time periods. A major challenge in analysing data from these studies is that information is often incomplete. Participants rarely complete all waves of data collection, or provide all requested information. Statistical research has led to increased use of a statistical method (multiple imputation) that recovers information from incomplete cases. This project will develop and improve this method
A Prospective Study Of The Effects Of Early Life Growth On Adult Mammographic Density
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$460,517.00
Summary
It is now well-known that a woman's breast density, as measured by a breast scan, is a predictor of her future risk of breast cancer. It is also known that women who are heavier as babies and grow rapidly before age 7 are more likely to develop breast cancer in adult life. The effects were strongest in women who had early puberty. It has been suggested that there are critical points in early life growth that contribute to higher breast density in middle-age. Population-based surveys with early l ....It is now well-known that a woman's breast density, as measured by a breast scan, is a predictor of her future risk of breast cancer. It is also known that women who are heavier as babies and grow rapidly before age 7 are more likely to develop breast cancer in adult life. The effects were strongest in women who had early puberty. It has been suggested that there are critical points in early life growth that contribute to higher breast density in middle-age. Population-based surveys with early life growth data on large numbers of women that span birth to adulthood are necessary to estimate accurately the association between early life growth and breast density in middle age. Few such studies exist; Tasmanian Asthma Study is one of them. In 1968, all 4,194 female Tasmanian school children born in 1961 were surveyed and height and weight measured. Subsequently, weight and height measurements were carried out on samples of this cohort. We are currently conducting the 37-year follow-up of the TAS and to date have traced 87% and achieved a response rate of 77% (2,850) for a postal survey. This included self-reported weight and height measurements and detailed information reproductive history and the use of hormones. Weight, height and waist to hip ratio are currently measured on 600 of these respondents. We have access to school medical records of the full cohort, which have weight and height data measured at school medical inspections throughout school years, and maternal records so far for half of the total cohort, which have information on birth weight and length, and period of gestation. Hence, TAS now provides an ideal opportunity, unique within Australia, to investigate prospectively the association between early life growth and mammographic density in middle-age women. We will measure breast density in these women now they are in their late 40s, using the Australian Mammographic Density Research Facility at The University of Melbourne.Read moreRead less
Epidemiology Of Middle-age BHR: A Prospective Study From Childhood To Middle Age
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$593,840.00
Summary
Increased airway reactivity (BHR) in middle-age increases the risk of chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) in old age, which are recognised as a major public health problem. Knowledge on the causes of these conditions is currently limited. This project will improve our understanding of the childhood and adult causes of increased reactivity of the airways in middle-age. Such knowledge will help in identifying preventive strategies for middle age BHR and thereby CRDs in old age.
I conduct epidemiological research on illicit drug use and harm, with a particular focus upon surveillance of drug use disorders and morbidity in sentinel populations. My epidemiological research has focused particularly on the comorbidity between drug de
Improving Translation Of Evidence Into Practice For Musculoskeletal Conditions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$948,684.00
Summary
Musculoskeletal conditions place a huge burden on the world’s population. Yet current trials in this field may not reflect priorities based upon this burden and few trials address well-recognised evidence-practice gaps. My fellowship will aim to transform the current ad hoc approach to Australian musculoskeletal clinical trials. It will identify the most critical unanswered questions, formulate a national research agenda, and identify best methods for optimising uptake of findings into practice.