End Stage Kidney Disease In The Elderly: Understanding Patient-Centred Outcomes To Improve Delivery Of Renal Services
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$122,774.00
Summary
There are an increasing number of elderly Australians with kidney failure. Some of these people choose to have dialysis whilst others do not. There is little evidence on which to base this decision and a lack of dedicated services for patients who choose not to have dialysis. This research aims to understand the complete experience of older kidney failure patients by examining survival, quality of life, symptom burden, impact on carers and factors behind treatment decisions. It will also explore ....There are an increasing number of elderly Australians with kidney failure. Some of these people choose to have dialysis whilst others do not. There is little evidence on which to base this decision and a lack of dedicated services for patients who choose not to have dialysis. This research aims to understand the complete experience of older kidney failure patients by examining survival, quality of life, symptom burden, impact on carers and factors behind treatment decisions. It will also explore the effect of specialised services on outcomes.Read moreRead less
TOWARDS IMPROVING EARLY PERITONEAL DIALYSIS OUTCOMES
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$189,384.00
Summary
The burden of kidney disease requiring dialysis is substantial in Australia. Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) is a cost effective method of performing dialysis, which provides greater quality of life and patient satisfaction than Haemodialysis (HD). Unfortunately PD is underused and has a high discontinuation rate among patients. This program of research will target important areas of PD practice aimed at improving the uptake and continuation of PD for patients with kidney disease requiring dialysis.
The Role Of Th1 Immune Responses & Inflammatory Cytokines On Cardiovascular Disease & Arterial Function In End-Stage Renal Disease & Their Response To Different Dialysis Modality
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$48,787.00
Summary
The immune system and inflammatory molecules are important factors in cardiovascular disease in the general population. These inflammatory molecules are also present in patients with end-stage kidney disease, a condition in which cardiovascular disease is excessively prevalent and the leading cause of death. We aim to use laboratory, animal and clinical studies to demonstrate the role of inflammation in cardiovascular disease in patients with kidney failure, and their response to dialysis.
Intensive Care patients more often than not, develop kidney failure requiring dialysis. Unfortunately there is little information available to inform clinicians of appropriate doses for antibiotics in these patients, putting them at an increased risk of death from ineffective treatment. Our project aims to develop dosing guidelines for the many types of dialysis used globally to achieve concentrations in the blood that optimise antibiotic effects in these most critically ill patients.
I am an intensive care clinician who performs clinical trials and experimental large animal research in multiple aspects of acute and intensive care medicine
Forensic Approach For Reservoir Identification For Serious S. Aureus Infections In Top End Dialysis Clients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$850,832.00
Summary
Indigenous Australians suffer from kidney disease at a much higher rate than non-Indigenous Australians and are far more likely to require dialysis treatment. Infections with the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (Golden Staph) further reduce the quality of life for these patients, causing serious disease and even death. We aim to identify exactly where these Golden Staph infections are coming from so that we can design targeted procedures to reduce the chance of infections occurring.
The Beta-blocker To LOwer CArdiovascular Dialysis Events (BLOCADE) Feasibility Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$597,811.00
Summary
The BLOCADE Feasibility Study aims to find out what is needed for a study to see if the drug carvedilol reduces heart disease events in people who need kidney dialysis. Carvedilol is widely used to treat the types of heart disease that are common in people on dialysis but the nature of dialysis may lead to more side effects or to less benefit. A Feasibility Study must be done first to properly plan a large study of carvedilol in people on dialysis that answers this important question.
Macrophages: A Therapeutic Target In Peritoneal Dialysis-induced Fibrosis?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$593,888.00
Summary
Fibrosis (scar tissue) in the abdominal cavity is a common side-effect of peritoneal dialysis (a treatment for kidney failure), and results in a life-threatening loss of dialysis function. The cells causing the fibrosis are uncertain. This project asks: Are inflammatory cells (macrophages) the source of peritoneal scar tissue? What regulates the fibrotic process? Answers may lead to strategies to prevent fibrosis induced by peritoneal dialysis, abdominal surgery or other causes.