Development And Validation Of A Latent Tuberculosis Diagnostic
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$534,865.00
Summary
Globally, tuberculosis is a leading cause of death with 9.6 million new diagnoses in 2014. The diagnosis of latent TB infection is important, but is difficult to make because current assays are suboptimal. We have developed a very simple assay which detects responses to TB antigens by co-expression of two surface markers expressed by CD4+ T cells. We propose to develop this into a highly standardised kit for the diagnosis of TB with our commercial partner Cytognos.
Population Monitoring Of Coronary Heart Disease In The Modern Era
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$636,375.00
Summary
Despite major reductions in mortality from heart attack over the past three decades, coronary heart disease (CHD) remains the leading cause of death and disability in Australia. It generates very large health costs and is one of five National priority areas for disease prevention and control. The most important manifestations of CHD are heart attacks, which require urgent hospital treatment, or sudden death, generally outside hospital. Accurate information to monitor trends in the incidence and ....Despite major reductions in mortality from heart attack over the past three decades, coronary heart disease (CHD) remains the leading cause of death and disability in Australia. It generates very large health costs and is one of five National priority areas for disease prevention and control. The most important manifestations of CHD are heart attacks, which require urgent hospital treatment, or sudden death, generally outside hospital. Accurate information to monitor trends in the incidence and outcomes of heart attack that can be used to assess the effectiveness for public health programs, establish requirements for clinical services, improve quality of care, and support studies of costs of health care, is essential. This study will use the unique capacity for medical record linkage in Western Australia (WA) to establish a comprehensive system to monitor the incidence, outcomes and emergency treatment of heart attack. It will combine information from a number of data sources including the hospital statistical system, emergency departments, ambulance services, laboratories and departments of cardiology. It will also obtain information from Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged care about the prescribing of selected medications, such as cholesterol lowering drugs, used in for the prevention of heart disease. Within this framework, it will undertake a number of sub-studies to improve the accuracy of information about heart attacks in the hospital statistical system to ensure consistency in measuring future trends, provide clinicians with state-wide information about outcomes of hospital care and the uptake of proven therapies, provide health administrators with information for planning services, and policy makers about the most cost-effective options for the preventions and control of heart disease.Read moreRead less
Validation Of A Multiplexed Blood Based Screening Assay For The Diagnosis Of Colorectal Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$556,712.00
Summary
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cancer in Australia with poor patient outcome due to late detection of the disease. We have developed a simple blood based test that can diagnose individuals with CRC at an early stage when the chance of cure is greater than 80%.
The Validity Of ‘8 Instruments’ Used To Include Quality Of Life In Economic Evaluation In 8 Disease Areas And 6 Countries
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$856,212.00
Summary
The Quality of Life is incorporated in the economic evaluation of health services using different ‘utility instruments’. Small scale comparative studies reveal large discrepancies between measurements. Very few studies combine multiple utility and disease specific instruments and to date no studies have compared utility instruments with scales measuring subjective wellbeing (happiness) or human capabilities. This project will mount the largest cross national survey to date of these questions.
Risk Stratification Of Older People In Hospital: Validation And Influence On Clinical Decision Making
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$291,067.00
Summary
Older people in hospital are at high risk of adverse outcomes, a vulnerability commonly referred to as frailty. In community-dwelling older people, frailty status can be measured precisely with a Frailty Index score. This research aims to develop a Frailty Index from a standardised comprehensive geriatric assessment instrument used in the routine care of many patients in hospital. This would assist clinicians to identify vulnerable older inpatients, improving their care in the acute setting.
Prospective Ovarian Cancer Cohort To Authenticate Stratification Of Prognosis In Ovarian Tumours (POCCA-SPOT)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$993,580.00
Summary
Ovarian cancer has poor survival, with less than 40% of women surviving 5 years. There is a wide range of survival, but very few characteristics that indicate which patients will do well or poorly. We have developed a tumour test at diagnosis, that can predict prognosis at 5 years. In newly diagnosed cases, we will test tumours to predict prognosis and then determine the accuracy and assess patient acceptability. This study will lead to clinical use of the test and improve treatment decisions.
Validating Novel Biomarkers Relevant To Major Depression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$515,550.00
Summary
Depression prevention and treatment are public health priorities; therefore, it is critical to improve and personalise treatments, which can only be achieved by advancing knowledge of its underlying biology. This research project will contribute to validating potentially relevant genes for MDD risk or antidepressant response and to provide the scientific foundation for future strategies to test their products as MDD biomarkers in the clinical setting.
Rapid, Point Of Care Diagnostic Tests To Differentiate HA Subtypes In Patients Samples
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$168,293.00
Summary
A number of rapid, point-of-care tests are available for the detection of human and avian influenza types, but they vary greatly in sensitivity. In particular, these tests are based on current strains of H5 (avian) influenza, and may be unable to detect variant or pandemic strains, and negative results can give the false impression that patients do not have H5 influenza. We will develop rapid, point-of-care tests based on highly conserved parts of the virus, so that all H5 strains (current and f ....A number of rapid, point-of-care tests are available for the detection of human and avian influenza types, but they vary greatly in sensitivity. In particular, these tests are based on current strains of H5 (avian) influenza, and may be unable to detect variant or pandemic strains, and negative results can give the false impression that patients do not have H5 influenza. We will develop rapid, point-of-care tests based on highly conserved parts of the virus, so that all H5 strains (current and future) can be detected with equal sensitivity, along with the H1 and H3 strains that are currently found in man to provide a definitive diagnosis. These tests will be valuable in the identification and differentiation of pandemic influenza cases, allowing better use of public health resources, especially against a background of continuing standard (H1 and H3) influenza infections.Read moreRead less