The Neuromuscular And Biomechanical Gait Risk Factors For Progression Of Hip Ostoearthritis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$91,367.00
Summary
Hip osteoarthritis (OA) is a common condition in older adults and it is often associated with pain, stiffness and functional limitations particularly in walking. There is no cure for hip OA and the end result is often a total hip replacement. Knowledge of neuromuscular and biomechanical characteristics of hip OA during walking and any relationships to disease progression will provide a better understanding of risk factors for progression of hip OA. This knowledge may guide future hip OA manageme ....Hip osteoarthritis (OA) is a common condition in older adults and it is often associated with pain, stiffness and functional limitations particularly in walking. There is no cure for hip OA and the end result is often a total hip replacement. Knowledge of neuromuscular and biomechanical characteristics of hip OA during walking and any relationships to disease progression will provide a better understanding of risk factors for progression of hip OA. This knowledge may guide future hip OA management plans to slow the progression of the disease.Read moreRead less
Does Statin Use Have A Disease Modifying Effect In Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$133,194.00
Summary
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major cause of knee pain and disability. Treatments are limited to reducing pain and improving function: no therapy slows disease progression, with symptomatic end-stage OA treated by knee replacement. Statins, a drug class used to lower cholesterol levels, may affect the structural progression in knee OA. We propose a randomised controlled trial to see if statin use slows the progression of knee OA, which would delay or prevent the need for joint replacement.
HMGB1: A Novel Player In The Pathogenesis Of Inflammatory Myositis?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$84,800.00
Summary
The project aims to determine whether HMGB1, a pro-inflammatory molecule, plays a key role in the cause of inflammatory myositis, an extremely disabling muscle condition characterised by progressive weakness.
Quantifying The Burden Of Systemic Sclerosis In Australia: From Data Linkage To Patient Reported Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$81,976.00
Summary
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune disease with the potential to cause significant physical, financial and psychosocial burden on patients, their family members and wider community. The true ‘burden’ of SSc in Australia is unknown. My study aims to quantify this burden of disease and use our results to advocate for appropriate allocation of resources with the ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes and reducing the financial and human costs of this chronic rare disease.
Does Metformin Have A Disease Modifying Effect In Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis? A Multicentre Randomised, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$124,676.00
Summary
Osteoarthritis(OA) is a major contributor to this disease burden. Currently, there is no therapy that slows disease progression. Metformin may affect OA progression via multiple pathways that address the pathogenesis of knee OA, including weight loss, glucose- and lipid-lowering, and anti-inflammation. This will be the world first randomised, double-blind controlled trial, to assess the effect of metformin, compared with placebo, on knee OA-related structural and clinical outcomes
A Comparison Of Arthroscopic Synovial Biopsy Based Targeted Biologic Therapy Versus Conventional Therapy In Rheumatoid Arthritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$133,351.00
Summary
This proposed study will investigate if treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) based on biopsy of affected joints’ lining is better than standard therapy (not based on the results of biopsy). Current strategies to treat RA not infrequently result in incomplete disease suppression with potentially resultant joint damage, in part because of lack of definite guidelines to individualise treatment. We propose that therapy on the basis of the analysis of biopsy of joint lining will lead to better dise ....This proposed study will investigate if treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) based on biopsy of affected joints’ lining is better than standard therapy (not based on the results of biopsy). Current strategies to treat RA not infrequently result in incomplete disease suppression with potentially resultant joint damage, in part because of lack of definite guidelines to individualise treatment. We propose that therapy on the basis of the analysis of biopsy of joint lining will lead to better disease control than the currently prevalent approach.Read moreRead less
Determinants Of Outcomes In SLE: Impact Of Models Of Care, Socioeconomic Factors And Biologic Variables In A Multiethnic Australian Population
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$134,124.00
Summary
Lupus is a chronic disease where the immune cells attack multiple systems in the body, which can lead to severe organ damage and even death. It is known that genes, socioeconomics and models of care all individually influence the outcomes in lupus. The exact contribution of each one is poorly understood, because they are studied in isolation. This project will take an integrated approach to investigating the factors that influence outcomes in lupus, looking for potentially addressable effects.
Optimising Therapy In Anti-neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA) Associated Vasculitis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$124,676.00
Summary
ANCA vasculitis is a rare autoimmune condition causing inflammation in small blood vessels, that can lead to organ failure and death. This research will help identify the best treatment approach for different subgroups of patients and the best timing of certain treatments. We will also explore patient symptoms and experience of this condition, and how this relates to disease activity, damage and medication effects.
Determinants And Impact Of Patient-Centred Health Outcomes In Psoriatic Arthritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$84,069.00
Summary
Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic joint disease which is linked with the skin condition called psoriasis. People who have psoriatic arthritis can develop deformities in their joints and suffer from decreased quality of life. Psoriatic arthritis can present in a wide range of ways, but the reasons for this are not understood. This research aims to explain some of this variation and to predict which patients will develop more severe disease so treatment can be targeted to improve their outcome.