COX-2 Inhibitors And The Development Of Unstable Angina And Myocardial Infarction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$171,450.00
Summary
Anti-inflammatory drugs (sometimes called NSAIDs) are widely used in the treatment of arthritis and also as general purpose pain killers. Up to 10 million prescriptions are written each year for these drugs in Australia. Some of the older versions of these drugs like ibuprofen (eg Brufen) and naproxen (trade name Naproxen) cause side effects which can be serious. Damage to the stomach is a particular problem and this can lead to serious bleeding or perforation of ulcers. Less well recognized are ....Anti-inflammatory drugs (sometimes called NSAIDs) are widely used in the treatment of arthritis and also as general purpose pain killers. Up to 10 million prescriptions are written each year for these drugs in Australia. Some of the older versions of these drugs like ibuprofen (eg Brufen) and naproxen (trade name Naproxen) cause side effects which can be serious. Damage to the stomach is a particular problem and this can lead to serious bleeding or perforation of ulcers. Less well recognized are the adverse effects of these drugs on the heart and the kidneys. The older fashioned members of this class of drug are rapidly being replaced by newer agents known as COX-2 inhibitors. Popular examples in Australia are celecoxib (trade name Celebrex) and rofecoxib (trade name Vioxx). These drugs are heavily promoted as being safer than the older NSAIDs. In the case of the stomach, this claim seems to be correct. However, the effects of the new COX-2 inhibitors on the circulation have not been fully assessed. Recently, claims have been made that these drugs may increase the risk of heart attacks. If this were true, it would be an effect that was unique to COX-2 inhibitors as it has not been reported with the older NSAIDs. We plan to carry out a 3 year study in Newcastle hospitals in which we compare the use of COX-2 inhibitors in a group of patients admitted to hospital with a heart attack or unstable angina with that of a control group of patients who were admitted to hospital around the same time, but not for heart problems. We are interested in whether COX-2 inhibitors are associated with an increased risk of heart attacks and whether use of small doses of aspirin protects against this effect. Depending on the results we may be able to improve the safety of these drugs in patients at risk of heart attacks.Read moreRead less
COX-2 INHIBITORS AS A CAUSE OF HEART AND RENAL FAILURE
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$271,610.00
Summary
Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have pain-killing and anti-inflammatory properties. For many years Australia had a higher use of these drugs than other countries. The drugs are quite toxic, and in susceptible individuals may cause ulceration and bleeding from the stomach and duodenum, kidney damage and fluid congestion leading to heart failure. Each of these conditions carries a high morbidity, particularly in the elderly. Because of concerns about toxicity, the use of NSAIDs in Aus ....Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have pain-killing and anti-inflammatory properties. For many years Australia had a higher use of these drugs than other countries. The drugs are quite toxic, and in susceptible individuals may cause ulceration and bleeding from the stomach and duodenum, kidney damage and fluid congestion leading to heart failure. Each of these conditions carries a high morbidity, particularly in the elderly. Because of concerns about toxicity, the use of NSAIDs in Australia fell during the 1990s by around 40%. Newer allegedly safer forms of NSAIDs called COX-2 inhibitors have been introduced into the Australian market. The first 2 drugs to be marketed are called Celebrex and Vioxx. These drugs appear to be safer for the stomach and duodenum, but the true effects on the kidney and heart are as yet unclear. COX-2 inhibitors have been very widely used with over 1.7 million prescriptions issued since their listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme in August 2000. Most of this use appears to be in addition to prescribing of the older NSAIDs rather than as a replacement for them. The purpose of this study is to compare the safety of the new COX-2 inhibitors with that of the older NSAIDs. We are interested in how often they cause renal failure and heart failure. The investigators will use well-established research methods to estimate the risk of heart failure and kidney failure with these drugs in the Australian community. Data from the study will form the basis of clinical practice guidelines for the safe use of these drugs in Australia.Read moreRead less
Preventive messages and guidelines to reduce sitting — especially prolonged periods of sitting — have emerged. However, what prolonged sitting should be replaced with, and the feasibility of making real world changes to this behaviour, is unknown. This program of research will provide high quality evidence on the benefits of reducing prolonged sitting time, and the effectiveness and acceptability of achieving sitting reductions in real-world contexts.
Harnessing The Power Of Elite Sport Sponsorship To Promote Healthy Eating By Young Adults
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$304,220.00
Summary
Concerns have been raised about the role of unhealthy food sponsorship of elite sport in promoting unhealthy diets to vast numbers of the public, including young adults who are avid spectators of sport. This innovative project consists of two studies which systematically investigate the utility of alternative, health-oriented sport sponsorship models and counter-advertising strategies in promoting healthier diets among young adults.
Quantifying The Effectiveness Of Pertussis Vaccine In Older Adults
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$448,703.00
Summary
Pertussis is the most poorly controlled vaccine preventable disease in Australia. Childhood pertussis is a well-known public health problem but adult pertussis is also common and has a significant burden on the health system, especially in adults over 65 years. Pertussis vaccines for adults are currently not funded by our national immunisation program. This project will provide vital data to inform whether pertussis vaccination is cost-effective in older Australian adults.
Early Life And Contemporary Influences On Body Composition, Mental Health, And Chronic Disease Risk Markers In The Aboriginal Birth Cohort
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,117,044.00
Summary
The Aboriginal Birth Cohort study has been following the health of Aboriginal babies in the Northern Territory for the last 30 years. The participants were healthy till adolescence, but overweight and risk factors of diseases such as diabetes, kidney and heart disease are emerging. This follow-up will show when and whether these risk factors develop into disease, which factors are protective and which identify early those most at risk of developing diseases that cause the gap in life expectancy.
Pharmaceutical Opioid Prescription For Chronic Pain In Australia: Trajectories Of Prescribing, Risk Of Adverse Events, And Predictors Of Harm
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,086,274.00
Summary
There is concern about rising levels of opioid analgesic prescribing in Australia. This study is important because it will provide evidence about long term outcomes for patients using opioid therapy for chronic non-malignant pain. It will examine prescribing patterns and link them to other health outcomes such as overdose. We will also study patients beginning opioid therapy for chronic pain and follow them up over 2 years to examine outcomes such as pain relief and medication side effects.
A Solution Based Approach Developing Child Health Research With A Focus On Preventive Interventions For Common Childhood
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,599,538.00
Summary
There is an increasing recognition that research into child health should focus not only on disease but also on common childhood disorders such as obesity, depression and poor literacy. In addition, such research should include solution-based activity. That is, child health research should have an active program of testing new interventions to prevent the onset of disorders, or to allow optimal early management. The Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, the largest Australian child health resear ....There is an increasing recognition that research into child health should focus not only on disease but also on common childhood disorders such as obesity, depression and poor literacy. In addition, such research should include solution-based activity. That is, child health research should have an active program of testing new interventions to prevent the onset of disorders, or to allow optimal early management. The Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, the largest Australian child health research institute, is in a very good position to develop Australia's capacity further with regard to a coordinated research program into preventative interventions in child health. This is because of: - the Institute's location at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, the largest paediatric health service provider in Australia - the many individual relevant research projects that are already occurring in MCRI - the strong existing teams of researchers with skills in many different fields of child health such as psychology, speech pathology, clinical-medical care, epidemiology and biostatistics, and laboratory science including genetics. This capacity building program will coordinate population health work to develop the knowledge and skills of eight population health researchers. This development will occur within the context of an internationally competitive research program with structured continuing education and training to promote public health leadership. The capacity building program will develop skills not only in study design, conduct and analysis, but also in collaboration and the translation of research findings into better health services, government policy and parental knowledge to prevent problems and improve the health and well being of children and their families. To care for children in the best way, parents, families, schools, health care providers, and government need the best evidence base possible on the prevention of common child disorders.Read moreRead less