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I am a rheumatologist and epidemiologist who concentrates on epidemiological studies understanding the causes and treatment of osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.
Improving Awareness And Treatment Of Osteoarthritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$411,327.00
Summary
The foundation of this proposal leverages my current and planned program of osteoarthritis research to investigate the challenges of prevention, pain and delivery of care. These research initiatives are readily translatable, will make inroads into this prevalent and disabling disorder, have international impact and rely upon a close synergy between my research work and clinical practice.
From Imaging To Intervention In Osteoarthritis And Back Pain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Osteoarthritis and back pain are regarded as cartilage disorders, however recent evidence suggests that underlying bone and joint fluid pathology are also involved. This project takes a unique approach of targeting bone and joint fluid pathology of knee osteoarthritis and back pain, and will test the effects of existing therapies and krill oil through clinical trials. If successful, it will have the potential to slow progression to joint replacement through an easy method of implementation.
DICKENS - A Randomised Controlled Trial Of DIaCerein To Treat KneE Osteoarthritis With EffusioN-Synovitis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,327,836.00
Summary
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is common, but the current treatments are poor. Almost 60% of people with knee OA have joint inflammation. Patients with inflammation are more likely to experience joint pain and rapid joint destruction. We propose that treating patients with inflammatory knee OA with the anti-inflammatory drug, diacerein, will reduce pain and joint damage.
Does Statin Use Have A Disease Modifying Effect In Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$133,194.00
Summary
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major cause of knee pain and disability. Treatments are limited to reducing pain and improving function: no therapy slows disease progression, with symptomatic end-stage OA treated by knee replacement. Statins, a drug class used to lower cholesterol levels, may affect the structural progression in knee OA. We propose a randomised controlled trial to see if statin use slows the progression of knee OA, which would delay or prevent the need for joint replacement.
Does Statin Use Have A Disease Modifying Effect In Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis? A Multicentre Randomised, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,002,987.00
Summary
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major cause of knee pain and disability. Treatments are limited to reducing pain and improving function: no therapy slows disease progression, with symptomatic end-stage OA treated by knee replacement. Statins, a drug class used to lower cholesterol levels, may affect the structural progression in knee OA. We propose a randomised controlled trial to see if statin use slows the progression of knee OA, which would delay or prevent the need for joint replacement.
Improving Musculoskeletal Pain By Matching The Right Treatment With The Right Patient
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$437,034.00
Summary
Musculoskeletal pain is common, disabling, and costly in Australia. Current treatment options are poor. This program of research uses clinical trials to investigate new therapy options for osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain. These studies aim to provide new effective treatment options for patients that can improve pain, slow joint damage and decrease the overall burden of musculoskeletal disease.
Does Metformin Have A Disease Modifying Effect In Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis? A Multicentre Randomised, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$124,676.00
Summary
Osteoarthritis(OA) is a major contributor to this disease burden. Currently, there is no therapy that slows disease progression. Metformin may affect OA progression via multiple pathways that address the pathogenesis of knee OA, including weight loss, glucose- and lipid-lowering, and anti-inflammation. This will be the world first randomised, double-blind controlled trial, to assess the effect of metformin, compared with placebo, on knee OA-related structural and clinical outcomes
Improving The Prevention And Outcomes Of Knee And Hip Osteoarthritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$421,747.00
Summary
Osteoarthritis is a major public health problem. No current treatment slows disease progression with end-stage osteoarthritis treated by joint replacement surgery. This project will identify new approaches for the prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis and the improvement of patients’ outcomes after total joint replacement surgery. The findings will have both public health and clinical impact, informing clinical practice of strategies to improve the prevention and outcomes of osteoarthritis.
Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) To Improve Understanding Of Knee Osteoarthritis And Develop Effective Therapeutic Treatments
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$299,564.00
Summary
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and is increasing markedly due to an ageing population. This program of research uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to improve our understanding about knee osteoarthritis. It will examine knee structural change over time using unique 10-year follow-up MRI measures from a pre-existing case-control study. This program of research will also examine two randomised controlled trials which aim to evaluate therapeutic treatments for the disease.