The Voice As A Behavioural Probe Of Patient Functioning In Disorders Of The Central Nervous System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$29,255.00
Summary
Health conditions like pain and depression are difficult to measure, yet we can hear in someone’s voice if they are upset or distressed. This study is looking to develop ways the voice can be used to track changes in a patient’s condition. By recording a speech sample and analyzing parts of the signal, we may be able to tell if a drug treatment for depression is working, or if a patient is experiencing less pain after therapy.
Patient-reported Outcomes And Treatment Preferences In 1,900 Men With Prostate Cancer Participating In Two International, Randomised Clinical Trials
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Men with high-risk or metastatic prostate cancer are faced with difficult and uncertain trade-offs between quantity and quality of life when making a treatment decision. The proposed study extends two promising, ongoing clinical trials by describing the quality of life outcomes and treatment.
The Epidemiology Of Post Thrombotic Syndrome Following The Use Of Central Venous Lines In Paediatrics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$130,203.00
Summary
The association between central venous lines (CVL) and blood clots in children is well known. Possible consequences of CVL-related blood clots are line blockage, pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lungs) and post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). PTS symptoms can be physically limiting, painful and disfiguring. Yet as the incidence of PTS is unknown, the importance of treating CVL-related blood clots is unclear. This study will assess the incidence of PTS and the associated risk factors in children ....The association between central venous lines (CVL) and blood clots in children is well known. Possible consequences of CVL-related blood clots are line blockage, pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lungs) and post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). PTS symptoms can be physically limiting, painful and disfiguring. Yet as the incidence of PTS is unknown, the importance of treating CVL-related blood clots is unclear. This study will assess the incidence of PTS and the associated risk factors in children.Read moreRead less
Cataract Surgery And Risk Of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$339,750.00
Summary
Cataract surgery currently ranks as one of the most frequently performed and successful surgical procedures in Australia (125,000 operations-year). Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the principal cause of moderate visual impairment and blindness, currently accounting for blindness in between 17,300 and 30,400 Australians. Past studies have not shown a definite relationship between cataract and AMD. Follow-up data from clinical case series and from two older population-based studies (the ....Cataract surgery currently ranks as one of the most frequently performed and successful surgical procedures in Australia (125,000 operations-year). Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the principal cause of moderate visual impairment and blindness, currently accounting for blindness in between 17,300 and 30,400 Australians. Past studies have not shown a definite relationship between cataract and AMD. Follow-up data from clinical case series and from two older population-based studies (the Beaver Dam and Blue Mountains Eye Studies) suggested that cataract surgery might increase the risk of subsequent development of AMD in operated eyes of older persons. Such an increased AMD risk in eyes after cataract surgery appears to be both short term (observation from clinical case series) and long term (evidence from population-based studies), and persists after taking into consideration age, sex, smoking, preexisting early stage lesions of the disease and correlation between both eyes. The proposed study is to follow a large number of older patients who are undergoing cataract surgery in Western Sydney Eye Hospital and in two ophthalmologists' private rooms. Rates of subsequent development of AMD will be compared between operated and non-operated eyes, and also between the surgical cohort and the Blue Mountains Eye Study cohort. We will document macular conditions carefully before and after surgery to exclude the possibility of confounding issues. We will also investigate whether the increased risk occurs in certain subgroups of patients at high risk of AMD. If an increased AMD risk from cataract surgery is confirmed in subgroups of patients, a modified clinical practice may be indicated, to maximize cataract surgery benefit and minimize the risk of vision loss from AMD after surgery. Changes may include additional patient information and consent about this risk, delayed cataract surgery within limits of visual function, and close postoperative follow up.Read moreRead less
Development Of A Palliative Care In Residential Care Outcome Scale (PARCOS)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$137,000.00
Summary
The project seeks to develop and undertake psychometric testing of a scale suitable to measure outcomes for residents in residential aged care facilities for whom a palliative approach is appropriate. The project will include a Joanna Briggs Institute systematic review of existing outcome measures in palliative care with emphasis on their use in residential aged care facilities.
Cervical Screening Participation And Outcomes For Indigenous Australian Women
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$601,546.00
Summary
Cervical cancer is much more common among Indigenous than other Australian women, however little is known about their cervical screening participation or outcomes. This study will use Pap Test Registers and other data sources to compare screening participation and outcomes for Indigenous and non-Indigenous women, and investigate whether cervical cancer incidence has decreased for Indigenous women in recent years, as it has done for non-Indigenous women in Australia.
Central Venous Catheter-associated Bloodstream Infections In Patients With Cancer: A Prospective Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$88,218.00
Summary
Patients with cancer often require prolonged access to the bloodstream via a central venous access device in order to deliver chemotherapy treatments as well as associated supportive and symptomatic therapies. A common serious side-effect of having this device is the development of an infection in the blood. This research will investigate whether insertion of the device into the non-dominant side of the body will reduce the likelihood of developing a bloodstream infection.