A Randomised Study Of Insulin/dextrose Infusion For Myocardial Infarction In Patients With Diabetes.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$181,018.00
Summary
In Australia, some 5-10% of the population have diabetes, and the prevalence is rising. Some 50% of diabetics over the age of 40 will die from cardiovascular disease, and the cardiac mortality amongst patients with diabetes is 3 times that of the general population. One quarter of patients admitted to hospital in Australia with myocardial infarction (heart attack) have diabetes. Myocardial infarction (AMI) is much more likely to be fatal for a person with diabetes, and the mortality rate after o ....In Australia, some 5-10% of the population have diabetes, and the prevalence is rising. Some 50% of diabetics over the age of 40 will die from cardiovascular disease, and the cardiac mortality amongst patients with diabetes is 3 times that of the general population. One quarter of patients admitted to hospital in Australia with myocardial infarction (heart attack) have diabetes. Myocardial infarction (AMI) is much more likely to be fatal for a person with diabetes, and the mortality rate after one year is about double that of the non-diabetic population. Whilst considerable advances have been made in recent years in reducing the mortality from AMI, there have been few studies with the specific aim of optimising management for patients with diabetes in this situation. One recent study (the DIGAMI Study) however, examined the use of insulin-dextrose infusion therapy at the time of AMI for patients with diabetes and found a significant reduction in mortality rate amongst treated patients. However, due to the design of the study, it is not possible to determine if it was the insulin-dextrose infusion which resulted in the reduced mortality, or if it was one of a number of confounding variables. Nonetheless, the DIGAMI Study has raised the possibility that insulin-dextrose infusion will improve the outcome for diabetics, and theoretically, there are good reasons that this may provide a real benefit, via a reduction in free fatty acids, which may potentiate damage to the heart. Our study aims to determine if insulin-dextrose infusion therapy improves the prognosis of diabetic subjects with AMI. This will be performed as a randomised controlled trial across 4 teaching hospitals. If its benefit are confirmed, then this will have significant implications for the management of diabetics with AMI, as insulin-dextrose infusions are not currently routine, especially for patients with lower levels of hyperglycaemia.Read moreRead less
Microbiological And Immunological Determinants Of Prolonged Illness Following Q Fever.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$362,036.00
Summary
Q fever is a severe, sometimes life-threatening infection acquired by individuals who work with livestock, particularly abattoir workers. At least 10% of individuals who develop Q fever experience prolonged ill-health in the form of weeks or months of debilitating fatigue, profuse night sweats, headaches, as well as muscle and joint pains. This poorly understood persistent illness is associated with substantial disability and loss of income. This research is based upon an established cohort stud ....Q fever is a severe, sometimes life-threatening infection acquired by individuals who work with livestock, particularly abattoir workers. At least 10% of individuals who develop Q fever experience prolonged ill-health in the form of weeks or months of debilitating fatigue, profuse night sweats, headaches, as well as muscle and joint pains. This poorly understood persistent illness is associated with substantial disability and loss of income. This research is based upon an established cohort study in which subjects with acute, documented Q fever are recruited shortly after the onset of symptoms and followed at regular intervals through to recovery or persistent symptoms. The aim of this research is to determine whether abnormal persistence of the causative organsim of Q fever, Coxiella burnetii, underlies the continued symptoms in those who do not recover promptly from the acute illness. Furthermore, the research is examining the host defense response against the organism via the production of cytokines or immunological hormones, to determine whether these proteins mediate the ongoing symptoms. If confirmed, these hypotheses would lead the way to diagnostic markers for the disorder and a rational treatment strategy.Read moreRead less
The Relationship Between Fatigue, Sleepiness And Crash Risk While Driving
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$444,070.00
Summary
Driver fatigue is a major road safety problem that is currently managed by encouraging drivers to take breaks when they feel tired. Unfortunately we dont know whether drivers really are able to detect when they are too tired to drive safely or, if they can make this judgement, whether and what motivates them to stop driving. This research will look at driver awareness of fatigue effects and what indicators and motivators can be used to encourage them to respond to signs of impaired driving.
The Influence Of Acupuncture Stimulation On The Induction Of Labour : A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$123,874.00
Summary
Acupuncture, the insertion of fine needles, into specific areas of the body is increasingly being used to treat a number of conditions. During pregnancy and childbirth, women are looking to the complimentary therapies. There is interest in safe and more natural methods to induce labour in women with prolonged pregnancy. Small studies have been undertaken and these show that acupuncture may have a role with inducing labour. However, these studies were small and there is a need for a larger well d ....Acupuncture, the insertion of fine needles, into specific areas of the body is increasingly being used to treat a number of conditions. During pregnancy and childbirth, women are looking to the complimentary therapies. There is interest in safe and more natural methods to induce labour in women with prolonged pregnancy. Small studies have been undertaken and these show that acupuncture may have a role with inducing labour. However, these studies were small and there is a need for a larger well designed study to see whether acupuncture really does help with inducing labour. This study assesses whether women who have prolonged pregnancy can be successfully induced using acupuncture treatment. Women booked for a medical induction will be offered the opportunity to take part in the trial. Women interested in taking part in the trial will be randomly entered into one of two groups. One group will receive acupuncture and the other group will be given placebo- sham acupuncture. This second group involves the insertion of the needles into areas away from classical acupuncture points. Participation in the trial will take place over a two day period prior to the date of their planned induction. Each treatment will take one hour. Prior to term, focus groups will be held with women examining thier views on the use of acupuncture during pregnancy. All women will be asked to complete a questionnaire after the birth of their baby, this will ask for their views on acupuncture, their expectation and satisfaction from their birthing experience. There is no information to suggest there are any risks or side effects associated with the treatment. In 2001 we expect to report on the effectiveness of this treatment on the induction of labour and maintenance of labour and assessment of whether this treatment meets women's expectations and satisfaction. If the results are positive, it is hoped this will become an option for women requiring an induction of labour.Read moreRead less