Plasma Exchange And Glucocorticoids In Anti-neutrophil Cytoplasm Antibody Associated Systemic Vasculitis: A Randomised Controlled Trial (PEXIVAS Australia)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,110.00
Summary
ANCA-associated vasculitis is a life-threatening disease. The PEXIVAS trial will investigate whether plasma exchange, in addition to immunosuppressive therapy and glucocorticoids, will reduce death and the development of severe kidney failure due to this disease. Additionally, the project will also look at whether using a reduced dose of glucocorticoids is just as effective as larger doses in lessening the infectious complications of treatment.
Multi-centre RDBC Trial Of Oxygen Vs Air For Relief Of Breathlessness In Terminally-ill Patients With Intractable Dyspno
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$149,701.00
Summary
This study will compare the effects of oxygen and air in the relief of breathlessness in patients at the end of life who do not currently qualify for home oxygen. This landmark study will provide accurate information about any benefits that oxygen offers for breathlessness in this setting. This international multi-site study will ask 226 people to participate using either oxygen or air for 7 days while keeping a diary. We will measure breathlessness, quality of life, anxiety and side effects exp ....This study will compare the effects of oxygen and air in the relief of breathlessness in patients at the end of life who do not currently qualify for home oxygen. This landmark study will provide accurate information about any benefits that oxygen offers for breathlessness in this setting. This international multi-site study will ask 226 people to participate using either oxygen or air for 7 days while keeping a diary. We will measure breathlessness, quality of life, anxiety and side effects experienced.Read moreRead less
Plasma Exchange And Glucocorticoids In ANCA Associated Vasculitis: A Randomised Controlled Trial (PEXIVAS Australia)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$635,243.00
Summary
Vasculitis is a life-threatening disease, and the current treatment for this condition is not satisfactory. This clinical trial aims to determine 1) if plasma exchange can lower mortality and the development of severe kidney failure due to this disease, and 2) if the use of lower doses of corticosteroids can lessen the infectious complications of treatment. This trial is part of a major international effort which will involve a total of 500 patients from Australia, UK, Europe, USA and NZ.
The Clinical Effectiveness Of A Simple New Treatment For Supine-dependent Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$529,178.00
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnoea is a common and debilitating breathing problem in sleep with serious effects on sleep and health. A third of patients could be very simply treated by avoiding sleeping on their back. Existing treatments are uncomfortable, often not used and better options are needed. This project will test symptom relief and treatment adherence with a new comfortable low cost supine avoidance therapy against current best practice treatment.
Improving Maternal And Infant Outcomes: A Multicentre Randomised Controlled Trial Of Midwifery And Dental Intervention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$457,724.00
Summary
Poor oral health during pregnancy can impact the health of the mother and baby. Yet, many expectant mothers are unaware of the implications of poor oral health. In Australia there is a lack of importance being placed on maternal oral health. The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of a new service which will promote maternal oral health through collaboration between midwives and dentists. We expect the new service will improve women's oral health, uptake of dental services and po ....Poor oral health during pregnancy can impact the health of the mother and baby. Yet, many expectant mothers are unaware of the implications of poor oral health. In Australia there is a lack of importance being placed on maternal oral health. The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of a new service which will promote maternal oral health through collaboration between midwives and dentists. We expect the new service will improve women's oral health, uptake of dental services and potentially improve pregnancy outcomes.Read moreRead less
Randomised Control Trial Of Effectiveness Of Silver Fluoride In Managing Deciduous Dental Caries In Remote Aboriginal Communities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$695,220.00
Summary
This study seeks to test a non-invasive treatment for dental decay in young children which may prevent the progression of the decay further into the tooth. This treatment is currently used in some areas. Dental decay is very common in young children in remote communities where access to dental care is often limited. The treatment may reduce pain and oral and facial infections sometimes leading to hospitalisation.
A Randomised Controlled Trial Examining Stability Of New Types Of Highly Porous Surfaced Acetabular Components In Total Hip Replacement
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$216,490.00
Summary
Numbers of total hip replacements are steadily increasing. The most common complication of hip replacement is late implant loosening, which can be predicted by early migration. We will examine early migration of a trabecular metal acetabular cup without screws, compared to a titanium fibre metal acetabular cup fixed with screws. Ideally, an acetabular cup would achieve a level of initial stability by press-fit alone without screws, as screws increase the risk of bone loss around the prosthesis.
Interventions To Improve Outcomes For Young Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander People In Sexually Transmissible Infections Blood Borne Viruses And For People Using Methamphetamines
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
This ECF will enable research to be carried out in the domains of sexually transmissible infections (STI) and blood borne viruses (BBV) and specifically methamphetamine (MA) use in Aboriginal communities nationally. Specific research outcomes will be the establishment of an Aboriginal primary health care and behavioural surveillance network for STIs/BBVs in nationally dispersed clinical hubs (CRE), and an improved understanding of interventions to address MA in Aboriginal communities.
Randomised Double-blind Controlled Trial Of Oxygen Versus Air To Palliate Intractable End-of-life Dyspnoea When Pa02 >55
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$463,318.00
Summary
Shortness of breath at the end-of-life is one of the most feared symptoms. Unlike most other symptoms, it worsens as death approaches. Despite the fact that more than 50,000 Australian will die an expected death in the next year, of whom the majority will have breathlessness toward the end-of-life, we know little about how best to treat this symptom. Oxygen is frequently introduced but we have not identified whether it is more effective than medical air, and, if it is more effective, which patie ....Shortness of breath at the end-of-life is one of the most feared symptoms. Unlike most other symptoms, it worsens as death approaches. Despite the fact that more than 50,000 Australian will die an expected death in the next year, of whom the majority will have breathlessness toward the end-of-life, we know little about how best to treat this symptom. Oxygen is frequently introduced but we have not identified whether it is more effective than medical air, and, if it is more effective, which patients would most benefit from it. Because of this lack of evidence, oxygen is only funded in Australia in community settings for people who have severely low oxygen levels in their blood. Palliative oxygen is provided on a compassionate basis at times but this is on an ad hoc basis and does not ensure equitable access for people at the end of life who experience shortness of breath. This multi-centre study will compare oxygen and air, with neither the participant nor caring clinicians knowing which treatment they will receive. After careful explanation, volunteers who agree to participate will be asked to use the oxygen machine for at least 15 hours each day for 7 days and fill out a diary twice each day. Five centres across Australia are planning to enroll 240 participants in this study. Outcomes will include whether the sensation of breathlessness has improved, the overall quality of life while being treated, the ability to perform activities of daily living and any side effects experienced. This study is eagerly awaited by clinicians and health planners not only in Australia but in North America and Europe. This study will provide data in a long-standing international debate about the role of oxygen in people with relatively normal levels of oxygen in their blood who suffer from shortness of breath at the end-of-life.Read moreRead less
The Central Australian Heart Protection Study: A Randomised Trial Of Nurse-Led, Family Based Secondary Prevention Of Acute Coronary Syndromes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,923,630.00
Summary
Despite the high burden of cardiovascular diseases among Indigenous Australians, few intervention trials have sought to evaluate novel approaches to reducing differential outcomes in this vulnerable group. The Central Australian Heart Protection Study seeks to test the effectiveness of a nurse-led, family based education and assessment program in reducing the incidence of poor outcomes in indigenous and non-indigenous patient’s following an Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS).