A Prospective Cohort Study Of Mortality, Abstinence, Criminality And Psychiatric Comorbidity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,500.00
Summary
Over 70 000 Australians are dependent on heroin. Heroin dependence is remarkably persistent and is, in many cases, a lifelong condition. Long term treatment outcome and abstinence from heroin among this group are poor. Mortality among heroin users is high, with heroin users dying at a rate 13 times that of peers. Despite the extent of the problem, the natural history of heroin users has not yet been studied in Australia. The current study will be the first Australian study of the natural history ....Over 70 000 Australians are dependent on heroin. Heroin dependence is remarkably persistent and is, in many cases, a lifelong condition. Long term treatment outcome and abstinence from heroin among this group are poor. Mortality among heroin users is high, with heroin users dying at a rate 13 times that of peers. Despite the extent of the problem, the natural history of heroin users has not yet been studied in Australia. The current study will be the first Australian study of the natural history of heroin users. The study will follow up a large cohort of heroin users over a three year period. Estimates will be obtained of mortality rates, abstinence rates, criminal careers, and psychiatric problems among heroin users. It will also examine factors that predict abstinence, mortality, criminality and levels of psychopathology, and determine the health costs associated with heroin use careers. The study will provide essential data on how heroin use progresses, and on what factors predict a better outcome for heroin users.Read moreRead less
Psychiatric Morbidity, Quality Of Life And Coping Styles Of Patients With Early Stage & Advanced Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$281,018.00
Summary
Prostate cancer affects thousands of men each year. Advances in treatment are continuing, but side-effects frequently create disruptions to daily living. If the quality of care for prostate cancer patients is to be further improved, there is much to be learned about the psychosocial impact of the disease and its treatment across its different phases. There has not been a systematic prospective study of psychosocial adjustment in men with prostate cancer. In this study, we longitudinally follow t ....Prostate cancer affects thousands of men each year. Advances in treatment are continuing, but side-effects frequently create disruptions to daily living. If the quality of care for prostate cancer patients is to be further improved, there is much to be learned about the psychosocial impact of the disease and its treatment across its different phases. There has not been a systematic prospective study of psychosocial adjustment in men with prostate cancer. In this study, we longitudinally follow two separate groups of men with prostate cancer, those with early disease and those with advanced illness. We focus on the particular side-effects of urinary incontinence, impotence and bowel symptoms and the potential these have to affect the patient's sense of wellbeing. We use a standardised interview and questionnaires to assess for the presence of psychiatric disorders and psychological problems, overall quality of life and coping styles in these men. We seek to recognise the predictors of men who may have coping problems. A statistical approach termed pathway analysis will help us understand the relative contributions of different factors associated with these problems. The outcome of this systematic, longitudinal study will be a body of knowledge concerning risk factors for poorer psychosocial adjustment and optimum coping strategies for managing the impact of prostate cancer and its treatment, thereby empowering a range of targeted interventions to be developed to enhance the wellbeing and quality of life of these men.Read moreRead less