LONG TERM FUNCTIONAL ABILITY AND COSTS OF STROKE SUBTYPES.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$270,604.00
Summary
Stroke is the third most common cause of death in Australia, and is more common in the older age groups. Because the population most at risk of developing stroke is growing faster than the rest of the population, it is likely that there will be a large increase in the number of strokes occurring in coming years. At 1 year after stroke about one-third of patients have died, a third remain severely disabled and a third recover with minimal disability. In Australia, there is little information on o ....Stroke is the third most common cause of death in Australia, and is more common in the older age groups. Because the population most at risk of developing stroke is growing faster than the rest of the population, it is likely that there will be a large increase in the number of strokes occurring in coming years. At 1 year after stroke about one-third of patients have died, a third remain severely disabled and a third recover with minimal disability. In Australia, there is little information on outcome beyond 1 year. It is thought that at 5 years after stroke about 55% of patients will die, and a further 10% will have another nonfatal stroke. Stroke is estimated to cost the community in excess of $1 billion a year. Little is known about the long-term costs of stroke to survivors and their relatives. These costs are likely to be substantial, and are likely to include costs related to hospitalisations, outpatient visits, general practitioner visits, medications, aids and community services. It is also likely that substantial informal care is provided by relatives and friends (e.g. assistance with shopping and personal care). The aim of this study is to assess the long-term outcome of patients with stroke. These will include measures of survival, stroke recurrence, and ability to perform usual daily activities. In addition, we aim to determine the long-term use of health care and community resources and the costs incurred by patients, their carers, and the community. Information on survival patterns, stroke recurrence and disability will provide information of great value for health service planning. Such information will also be useful to patients, their families, and medical staff who treat these patients. Information on the costs of stroke will provide the only information about the patterns of long-term health care and community resource use among stroke patients in Australia. This information will be useful for health service planning.Read moreRead less
Antiplatelets For Prevention Of Pre-eclampsia: An Individual Patient Data Review
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$274,000.00
Summary
High blood pressure is a common complication of pregnancy affecting ~20,000 Australian women each year. Although most women and their babies do well, pre-eclampsia, defined as high blood pressure together with protein in the urine is a more serious problem. Severe pre-eclampsia is associated with 10-15% of maternal deaths. Fetal and newborn baby deaths are also increased. Mother and baby morbidity is high principally due to the associated complications in pregnancy, increased obstetric intervent ....High blood pressure is a common complication of pregnancy affecting ~20,000 Australian women each year. Although most women and their babies do well, pre-eclampsia, defined as high blood pressure together with protein in the urine is a more serious problem. Severe pre-eclampsia is associated with 10-15% of maternal deaths. Fetal and newborn baby deaths are also increased. Mother and baby morbidity is high principally due to the associated complications in pregnancy, increased obstetric interventions, fetal growth restriction and preterm birth. As yet we have no safe and effective way of preventing this life threatening condition. Aggregation of platelets (involved in blood clotting) is known to be part of the disease and could lead to the disturbances in the circulation of the mother and the placenta. Antiplatelet agents, low dose aspirin in particular, might prevent or delay the development of pre-eclampsia. Some trials and a Cochrane systematic review of all trials (involving over 30,000 women) suggest that pre-eclampsia, preterm birth and perinatal death could be reduced. However, it is still not clear which women will benefit, when in pregnancy the treatment should start and what dose of aspirin is both effective and safe. This proposed individual patient data review in which data on all women who have been entered in trials is gathered from the original investigators, including missing information on potential harms. This proposal represents a good investment of resources to obtain the information needed by women and health professional to make decisions about the use of aspirin. International investigators from all the primary trials have already formed a collaboration to oversee the project: the Perinatal Antiplatelet Review of International Studies (PARIS) Collaboration Furthermore, working through an international collaboration will ensure the highest quality in data availability, as well endorsement and implementation of the results in practice.Read moreRead less