Modelling Of Clinic And Ambulatory Blood Pressure On Cardiovascular Risk And Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$133,957.00
Summary
Whilst ambulatory blood pressure monitoring data has been shown to be a good predictor of cardiovascular events, there remains controversy as to its utility in clinical practice. This project will use data from existing population and clinical cohort studies to examine the role of ambulatory blood pressure in risk assessment and hypertension management in Australia and around the globe. The findings are likely to have a major impact on clinical guidelines for hypertension management.
Prediction Of Fracture By Clinico-genetic Profiling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,339,215.00
Summary
The loss of bone with advancing age is the main cause of osteoporosis and bone fracture. Bone loss is highly variable between individuals, and we are not sure why. I want to find out factors that contribute to bone loss, and then use this knowledge to identify individuals at high risk of excessive bone loss for early prevention. My goal over the next 5 years is to create a new clinico-genetic model for assessing the rate of bone loss, and predicting the risk of fracture for an individual.
Predicting The Individual Risk Of Prostate Cancer In Australian Men
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$348,656.00
Summary
Prostate cancer is a major cause of disability and death in Australian men. A number of factors, particularly age and family history, influence the risk of prostate cancer but, in contrast to breast cancer, we don't know what is the risk of developing prostate cancer over a period of time for a man with a specific set of risk factors. In fact, while a number of statistical models have been developed that use a woman's risk factor profile to estimate her risk of breast cancer, none is currently a ....Prostate cancer is a major cause of disability and death in Australian men. A number of factors, particularly age and family history, influence the risk of prostate cancer but, in contrast to breast cancer, we don't know what is the risk of developing prostate cancer over a period of time for a man with a specific set of risk factors. In fact, while a number of statistical models have been developed that use a woman's risk factor profile to estimate her risk of breast cancer, none is currently available for prostate cancer. We will apply standard statistical methods to existing data from the Australian Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer study and from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare to develop a prostate cancer risk prediction model. We will test how factor like age, detailed family history, diet, baldness status and possibly previous PSA tests and prostate biopsies predict the risk. After developing the model, we will test the accuracy of the predictions in three ways. First, using existing data from the Australian Prostate Cancer Family Study, we will see whether the number of cases in a group of men is close to the number predicted by the model (calibration). Second, to test whether the model discriminate well men who develop prostate cancer from those who do not, we will collect family trees in a sample from the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study. We will use these data also to estimate the optimal cut point: men above this level of risk will be considered at high risk. Third, we will apply the model to existing data from the Dutch Prostate Cancer Family Study (DPCFS) to test whether the optimal cut point identify high-risk men and to validate the model in a non-Australian population. Finally, we will prepare a computer package that health professionals will use as decision-making tool in different scenarios including individual cancer risk assessment, design of prevention trials and targeting prevention programs to high-risk men.Read moreRead less
Automated Mammographic Measures That Predict Breast Cancer Risk
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$406,260.00
Summary
Mammographic density (MD) is one of the strongest predictors of breast cancer risk but its impractical measurement prevents its use in a clinical setting. An automated measure of MD would allow screening programs to identify and target women at higher risk of breast cancer which could lead to earlier diagnoses and better breast cancer outcomes. We aim to develop an automated measurement, maximized by its ability to predict breast cancer risk, and applicable to both film and digital mammograms.
A Risk Stratification Tool For The Prevention Of Avoidable Perinatal Mortality And Morbidity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
Stillbirth is more common in Australia than in some high-income countries. Babies born early may experience lung or other problems. Many current stillbirths and preterm birth can be prevented. Using a cohort of >4.5 million births from WA, NSW, SA and NT (N >4.5 million), this project will develop a strategy to predict the risk of stillbirth, preterm birth, and low birth weight. Better identification of risk in pregnancy will improve antenatal care to reduce stillbirth and neonatal morbidi ....Stillbirth is more common in Australia than in some high-income countries. Babies born early may experience lung or other problems. Many current stillbirths and preterm birth can be prevented. Using a cohort of >4.5 million births from WA, NSW, SA and NT (N >4.5 million), this project will develop a strategy to predict the risk of stillbirth, preterm birth, and low birth weight. Better identification of risk in pregnancy will improve antenatal care to reduce stillbirth and neonatal morbidity.Read moreRead less
Predicting Infections In Cancer Of The Plasma Cells In Bone Marrow (myeloma)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$107,764.00
Summary
The study will look for new risks for infection in patients with multiple myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow. Currently these patients are expected to live longer because of the discovery and use of new generation cancer drugs. By finding new infection risks, the treatment of life threatening infections can be improved or infection can be prevented so patients have a better quality of life whilst on cancer treatment.
Healthy Lungs For Life: A Life Course Approach To Reduce COPD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,491,398.00
Summary
Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD) causes breathing distress, disability and premature death. I have shown that COPD mostly has its origins in childhood. This means we can now identify early life risk factors to prevent COPD or help us catch it early, to improve health. My 5-year vision is to reduce the dire burden of COPD by creating evidence to change guidelines and policy and facilitating the transfer of that knowledge to practice.
Investigating The Impact Of Ethnicity On Asthma: Determining Risk Factors, Modifiers, Clinical Phenotypes, And Differential Response To Treatment.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$125,396.00
Summary
Asthma is a common disease in Australia with significant burden on both patients and the public healthcare system. Patients from ethnic minorities have disproportionately worse outcomes and current treatment guidelines are based on research among Caucasian-based populations. My PhD will describe differences in clinical characteristics, outcomes and response to treatment between ethnic groups. The overall aim of my PhD is to develop highly effective asthma treatment for ethnic minorities.
Genetic Epidemiology Of Endometrial Cancer: Towards Understanding Aetiology And Improving Risk Prediction.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$353,573.00
Summary
Studies investigating thousands of genetic markers have revolutionised our understanding of genes involved in cancer, and shown that a single gene can be associated with multiple cancers. We will conduct the largest ever study to find new genes for endometrial cancer, the most common gynaecological cancer. Our unique approach will examine >11million markers across the genome, some specifically in regions known to be important for other cancers. Findings will be used for risk prediction models ....Studies investigating thousands of genetic markers have revolutionised our understanding of genes involved in cancer, and shown that a single gene can be associated with multiple cancers. We will conduct the largest ever study to find new genes for endometrial cancer, the most common gynaecological cancer. Our unique approach will examine >11million markers across the genome, some specifically in regions known to be important for other cancers. Findings will be used for risk prediction models.Read moreRead less
Genomic Risk Of Coeliac Disease In First-degree Relatives
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,757.00
Summary
Coeliac disease is a common and strongly genetically determined inflammatory disorder triggered by gluten exposure. Because of its substantial genetic component, familial risk is substantial yet currently the actual risk is poorly quantified. We aim to use genomic profiling to construct and validate a novel risk score which can accurately determine which family members of coeliac disease cases are most at risk themselves.