The Impact Of Musculoskeletal Disorders On An Australian Population
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$321,275.00
Summary
A significant proportion of the Australian population experiences pain and disability as a result of musculoskeletal disorders. This research examines a wide range factors related to these conditions and focuses on the knowledge of musculoskeletal disorders and the impact of musculoskeletal conditions on the population. The answers obtained from this research have the potential to positively and significantly impact on the lives of those with musculoskeletal conditions.
The consequences of osteoarthritis in Australia: Work productivity loss and health service utilisation. This project will determine the burden of osteoarthritis in Australia. Although osteoarthritis is one of the most common and costly conditions affecting the developed world, little is known about the number of Australians living with hip or knee osteoarthritis, the population need for health services or the impact of the condition on the workforce. Directly addressing Australia's National Ac ....The consequences of osteoarthritis in Australia: Work productivity loss and health service utilisation. This project will determine the burden of osteoarthritis in Australia. Although osteoarthritis is one of the most common and costly conditions affecting the developed world, little is known about the number of Australians living with hip or knee osteoarthritis, the population need for health services or the impact of the condition on the workforce. Directly addressing Australia's National Action Plan for Arthritis, this research will be used by health policy makers in planning future resources to appropriately meet the needs of people with osteoarthritis. This work is of national importance because osteoarthritis is the single largest cause of workplace disability and a major contributor to lost productivity. Read moreRead less
MULTICENTRE BRONCHIECTASIS STUDY: A Collaborative And International Study Of Bronchiectasis In Indigenous Children.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,496,414.00
Summary
Aboriginal children have repeated pneumonia episodes; some get better while others develop bronchiectasis (a chronic lung disease). The risk factors associated with progression to bronchiectasis, and the natural history of bronchiectasis in this population is little known. Given the similarities of these diseases among indigenous populations of affluent countries and to increase study size, a collaborative and international study of Indigenous children (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, New ....Aboriginal children have repeated pneumonia episodes; some get better while others develop bronchiectasis (a chronic lung disease). The risk factors associated with progression to bronchiectasis, and the natural history of bronchiectasis in this population is little known. Given the similarities of these diseases among indigenous populations of affluent countries and to increase study size, a collaborative and international study of Indigenous children (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, New Zealand Maori or Pacific Islander and Alaskan Native) has been initiated. In Indigenous children, we aim to define the natural history of chronic moist cough (those at risk of developing bronchiectasis) and bronchiectasis, identify the risk factors associated with progression from early-mild disease (chronic moist cough) to bronchiectasis and to define the role of continuous antibiotic treatment in the prevention of recurrent pulmonary infections that are very common in these children. We plan to follow up Aboriginal children aged 12 months to 8 years diagnosed with bronchiectasis or chronic moist cough. For those diagnosed with bronchiectasis, after fully informed consent is obtained from the parent(s), the child will be allocated by chance to one of the 2 treatment regimes: (1) Azithromycin once-week or (2) placebo once-week. Children will receive the medication or the placebo for a period of 24 months. All these children will be clinically seen 2x-year by the study's paediatrician and 2x-year by the research nurse for the duration of the study. By documenting, for the first time, the epidemiology and natural history of children with chronic moist cough and bronchiectasis, the study will provide a much-needed rationale for their management. If we can scientifically show that this is true, that Azithromycin is effective in reducing the number of respiratory infections, this would be an achievable advance in the treatment in the field for these children.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Vitamin D In Determining Risk Of Developing Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$586,485.00
Summary
Juvenile Idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is an autoimmune disease that occurs in up to 1/250 Australian children. Growing evidence suggests that low vitamin D increases risk of autoimmune disease, yet no-one has looked at its effect on JIA. We will compare vitamin D in blood, and also exposure to sun through life, between children with and without JIA. We will also look to see if vitamin D interacts with autoimmune disease risk genes. The outcomes of this study will help to inform policy on the impor ....Juvenile Idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is an autoimmune disease that occurs in up to 1/250 Australian children. Growing evidence suggests that low vitamin D increases risk of autoimmune disease, yet no-one has looked at its effect on JIA. We will compare vitamin D in blood, and also exposure to sun through life, between children with and without JIA. We will also look to see if vitamin D interacts with autoimmune disease risk genes. The outcomes of this study will help to inform policy on the importance of sun exposure to health.Read moreRead less
The Extent And Impact Of Pharmaceutical Opioids For Chronic Non-cancer Pain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
There have been dramatic increases in the use of pharmaceutical opioids (PO) for chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP), despite limited data on their long-term effectiveness and an increase in associated harm. This Fellowship provides critical new data to inform both clinicians and policymakers on the global extent of PO for CNCP, trajectories of problematic use and associated morbidity and a unique evaluation of the impact of real-time prescription monitoring program to reduce these harms.
Novel Genetic And Environmental Modifiers Of The Risk Of Iron Overload-related Disease In HFE-associated Hereditary Haemochromatosis In Cohort Of Middle-aged Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$451,716.00
Summary
People who carry mutations in the HFE gene are pre-disposed to body iron overload but not all of them developed subsequent disease. According to the investigators of the “HealthIron” study in Melbourne, only 28% of men and 1% of women with faulty HFE genes go on to develop disease. This study has recruited more than 1,000 people from the community, and will determine which environmental and genetic risk factors stop people with iron overload from getting symptoms of disease.
InterLACE: International Collaboration For A Life Course Approach To Reproductive Health And Chronic Disease Events
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$495,965.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease and diabetes are major chronic diseases among women. This world-leading research combines data from 7 international and 3 Australian studies of womenÍs health. We will investigate the relationship of reproductive health, from menarche to menopause, with the risk of Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in later life. Findings will support the development of policies and preventive health strategies to reduce the risk of these chronic diseases.