ORCID Profile
0000-0001-6858-9710
Current Organisation
Bond University
Does something not look right? The information on this page has been harvested from data sources that may not be up to date. We continue to work with information providers to improve coverage and quality. To report an issue, use the Feedback Form.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 17-11-2014
DOI: 10.1136/TOBACCOCONTROL-2014-051920
Abstract: To investigate the association of cigarette smoking at baseline and trajectories of dysmenorrhoea in a large s le of Australian women. A prospective cohort study. Australian (population-based survey). A total of 9067 young women, with at least three measures of dysmenorrhoea, randomly s led from the national Medicare database and followed up from 2000 to 2012. Trajectories of dysmenorrhoea. At baseline, approximately 25% reported dysmenorrhoea and 26% were current smokers. Four trajectory groups were identified for dysmenorrhoea: normative (42%), late onset (11%), recovering (33%) and chronic (14%), with the chronic group showing high probabilities of reporting dysmenorrhoea over time. Compared with never-smokers, a significantly higher odds of being in the chronic group was detected for smokers, with ORs being 1.33 (95% CI 1.05 to 1.68) for ex-smokers and 1.41 (95% CI 1.17 to 1.70) for current smokers, after adjusting for sociodemographic, lifestyle and reproductive factors. An inverse relationship was identified for earlier age of smoking initiation, with the respective ORs of 1.59 (95% CI 1.18 to 2.15), 1.50 (95% CI 1.18 to 1.90) and 1.26 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.55) for initiation of smoking ≤13, 14-15 or ≥16 years. No consistent relationship was evident between smoking behaviour and the odds of being in the other trajectory groups. Smoking and early initiation of smoking are associated with increased risk of chronic dysmenorrhoea. The immediate adverse health effects of smoking provide further support for smoking prevention programme to target young women, especially teenagers.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2021
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 30-01-2017
DOI: 10.1007/S40266-017-0435-0
Abstract: Extensive clinical research has consistently shown statins lower the risk of cardiovascular events and mortality. Some studies also suggest statins increase the risk of new-onset diabetes. Research to date has rarely included elderly women, hence little is known about the risk of diabetes after statin exposure in this population. Our objectives were to evaluate and estimate the risk of new-onset diabetes associated with statin exposure in a cohort of elderly Australian women. We performed an analysis of a population-based longitudinal cohort study with data linkage to the national death index and to national databases of non-hospital episodes of medical care and prescription medications dispensing. Participants included 8372 Australian women born between 1921 and 1926, alive at 1 January 2003, free of diabetes, and eligible for data linkage. Statin exposure was ascertained based on prescriptions dispensed between 1 July 2002 and 31 August 2013. Over 10 years of follow up, 49% of the cohort had filled a prescription for statins and 5% had initiated treatment for new-onset diabetes. Multivariable Cox regression showed statin exposure was associated with a higher risk of treatment for new-onset diabetes (hazard ratio 1.33 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-1.70 p = 0.024). This equates to a number needed to harm (NNH) of 131 (95% CI 62-1079) for 5 years of exposure to statins. Risk increased with increasing dose of statin from the hazard ratio of 1.17 (95% CI 0.84-1.65) for the lowest dose to 1.51 (95% CI 1.14-1.99) for the highest dose. The dose-response for statins on new onset of diabetes suggests elderly women should not be exposed to higher doses of statins. Elderly women currently taking statins should be carefully and regularly monitored for increased blood glucose to ensure early detection and appropriate management of this potential adverse effect, including consideration of de-prescribing.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-09-2018
DOI: 10.1002/PDS.4651
Abstract: Estimating the rate of adverse events (AEs) caused by a treatment in clinical trials typically involves comparing the proportions of patients experiencing AEs in intervention and control groups. However, potentially important information, including duration, recurrence, and intensity of events, is lost. In this study, we illustrate how the additional information can be obtained and incorporated into analyses of AEs. Data on psychiatric AEs were extracted from clinical study reports (CSRs) provided by the manufacturer of oseltamivir in 4 prophylaxis randomised trials in adults and adolescents. We analysed the incidence, recurrence, duration, and intensity of events, using logistic regression models where the outcome compared was proportion of days suffering from an event, and developed novel presentation techniques. Psychiatric AEs were generally more frequent, longer, and more intense in the treatment than placebo arms. Logistic regression models confirm the apparent association overall (odds ratio [OR] 3.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28 to 9.32), particularly for events classified as severe (OR 34.5, 95% CI 3.66 to 325). However, the absolute difference in proportion of days suffering from severe psychiatric AEs between groups was small. This ex le analysis shows evidence of a causal effect of oseltamivir on psychiatric AEs, not apparent in the published versions of the same trials and a Cochrane review which showed a nonsignificant 81% increased odds of experiencing a psychiatric event. This unique and important finding was dependent on obtaining previously unavailable data from clinical study reports and using novel analyses and presentation methods.
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 02-04-2018
Abstract: here is increasing use of online surveys to improve data quality and timeliness and reduce costs. While there have been numerous cross-sectional studies comparing responses to online or paper surveys, there is little research from a longitudinal perspective. n the context of the well-established Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health, we examined the patterns of responses to online or paper surveys across the first two waves of the study in which both modes were offered. We compared the following: differences between women born between 1946 and 1951 and between 1973 and 1978 types of device used for online completion sociodemographic, behavioral, and health characteristics of women who responded online or using mailed paper surveys and associations between mode of completion in the first survey and participation and mode of completion in the second survey. articipants in this study, who had responded to regular mailed surveys since 1996, were offered a choice of completing surveys using paper questionnaires or Web-based electronic questionnaires starting in 2012. Two groups of women were involved: an older cohort born between 1946 and 1951 aged in their 60s and a younger cohort born between 1973 and 1978 aged in their 30s when the online surveys were first introduced. We compared women who responded online on both occasions, women who responded online at the first survey and used the paper version of the second survey, women who changed from paper to online, and those who used paper for both surveys. f the 9663 women in their 60s who responded to one or both surveys, more than 50% preferred paper surveys (5290/9663, 54.74%, on the first survey and 5373/8621, 62.32%, on the second survey). If they chose the online version, most used computers. In contrast, of the 8628 women in their 30s, 56.04% (4835/8628) chose the online version at the first survey. While most favored computers to phones or tablets, many did try these alternatives on the subsequent survey. Many women who completed the survey online the first time preferred the paper version on the subsequent survey. In fact, for women in their 60s, the number who went from online to paper (1151/3851, 29.89%) exceeded the number who went from paper to online (734/5290, 13.88%). The online option was more likely to be chosen by better educated and healthier women. In both cohorts, women who completed paper surveys were more likely than online completers to become nonrespondents on the next survey. Due to the large s le size, almost all differences were statistically significant, with P .001. espite the cost-saving advantages of online compared to paper surveys, paper surveys are likely to appeal to a different population of potential respondents with different sociodemographic, behavioral, and health characteristics and greater likelihood of attrition from the study. Not offering a paper version is therefore likely to induce bias in the distribution of responses unless weighting for respondent characteristics (relative to the target population) is employed. Therefore, if mixed mode (paper or online) options are feasible, they are highly likely to produce more representative results than if only the less costly online option is offered.
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 14-03-2019
DOI: 10.2196/10672
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 06-2023
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2022-067624
Abstract: To assess the effectiveness of bar graph, pictograph and line graph compared with text-only, and to each other, for communicating prognosis to the public. Two online four-arm parallel-group randomised controlled trials. Statistical significance was set at p .016 to allow for three-primary comparisons. Two Australian s les were recruited from members registered at Dynata online survey company. In trial A: 470 participants were randomised to one of the four arms, 417 were included in the analysis. In trial B: 499 were randomised and 433 were analysed. In each trial four visual presentations were tested: bar graph, pictograph, line graph and text-only. Trial A communicated prognostic information about an acute condition (acute otitis media) and trial B about a chronic condition (lateral epicondylitis). Both conditions are typically managed in primary care where ‘wait and see’ is a legitimate option. Comprehension of information (scored 0–6). Decision intention, presentation satisfaction and preferences. In both trials, the mean comprehension score was 3.7 for the text-only group. None of the visual presentations were superior to text-only. In trial A, the adjusted mean difference (MD) compared with text-only was: 0.19 (95% CI −0.16 to 0.55) for bar graph, 0.4 (0.04 to 0.76) for pictograph and 0.06 (−0.32 to 0.44) for line graph. In trial B, the adjusted MD was: 0.1 (−0.27 to 0.47) for bar graph), 0.38 (0.01 to 0.74) for pictograph and 0.1 (−0.27 to 0.48) for line graph. Pairwise comparisons between the three graphs showed all were clinically equivalent (95% CIs between −1.0 and 1.0). In both trials, bar graph was the most preferred presentation (chosen by 32.9% of trial A participants and 35.6% in trial B). Any of the four visual presentations tested may be suitable to use when discussing quantitative prognostic information. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12621001305819).
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 09-04-2014
DOI: 10.1136/BMJ.G2545
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 15-09-2022
DOI: 10.1007/S00737-021-01182-9
Abstract: Whether there has been an increase in postpartum depression (PPD) over the generation remains unknown. This study aimed to compare the prevalence in two cohorts of young Australian women born 17 years apart and identified the factors associated with any generational differences. Participants were from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health, who gave birth between ages 18 and 27 (born in 1973-78 and 1989-95). PPD prevalence was calculated as the percentage of births associated with PPD. Both the prevalence of PPD diagnoses (among 1,610 births) and PPD symptoms (among 953 births) were compared. Relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to report generational differences in the prevalence for PPD diagnoses Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs used for PPD symptoms. Factors that differed between cohorts and were associated with PPD diagnoses or PPD symptoms were adjusted. The prevalence of both PPD diagnoses (21.4% vs 10.3% crude RR: 2.03, 95% CI: 1.59-2.60) and symptoms (20.1% vs 13.3% crude HR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.15-2.34) were higher in the 1989-1995 cohort than the 1973-1978 cohort. Generational differences in PPD diagnoses persisted after controlling for potential contributors (RR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.15-2.04), while generational differences in PPD symptoms were attenuated (HR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.64-1.49). Of all contributing factors, a history of depression explained most of the generational differences, especially in PPD symptoms (49%), to the extent that when the study s le was stratified by history of depression, no generational differences were detected (without prior depression, HR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.20-2.08 with prior depression, HR: 1.18, 95% CI: 0.71-1.96). The higher prevalence of PPD in the recent generation was mainly due to the high prevalence of depression. Strategies that well manage pre-existing depression may benefit the prevention of PPD for the current young generation. Further research is warranted to inform detailed prevention approaches.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 24-07-2016
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 09-04-2014
DOI: 10.1136/BMJ.G2547
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.MATURITAS.2014.03.008
Abstract: To ascertain the prevalence of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and dysmenorrhea in Australia women and to examine whether there is population subgroups with distinct symptom trajectories. A prospective cohort study, including 9671 young women random s led from national Medicare database and followed up for 13 years, examined the prevalence, the trend and the symptom trajectories of the conditions. Prevalence of PMS and dysmenorrhea over time, their symptom trajectories, and the probability of symptom reporting at follow-up. The prevalence of PMS varied between 33 and 41% and that of dysmenorrhea between 21 and 26%. The probabilities of reporting PMS and dysmenorrhea were 0.75 (95% CI, 0.73, 0.76) and 0.70 (95% CI, 0.68, 0.72), respectively, among women who reported them in three previous consecutive surveys. Four unique trajectories were identified for both conditions. PMS was experienced by 80% of women some time during the study period, with normative (22.1%), late onset (21.9%), recovering (26.5%) and chronic (29.5%) groups revealed. Dysmenorrhea occurred in 60% of women with normative (38.3%), low (28.0%), recovering (17.2%) and chronic (16.5%) groups identified. PMS and dysmenorrhea are common among young women. Both have relatively stable prevalence over time, but exhibit considerable variation at the in idual level. Four subgroups of women who followed similar symptom trajectories were identified. PMS was experienced by 80% of women during the study period and it tended to be a long-lasting problem in many. Although 60% of women experienced dysmenorrhea, only a small group continuously reported it. Smoking and illicit drugs use, and smoking and obesity were more common among women with persistent PMS and dysmenorrhea respectively.
No related grants have been discovered for Mark Jones.