Genetic and environmental causes of asthma are poorly understood. The WATCH for asthma project will study Western Australian (WA) families in which there was a twin or higher order multiple birth (twin families) in order to measure inherited and environmental contributions to the development of asthma. All WA twin families, whose infants were born during 1990 to 1995, will be invited to become part of an existing Healthway funded, population based registry of WA Twin Child Health (the WATCH stud ....Genetic and environmental causes of asthma are poorly understood. The WATCH for asthma project will study Western Australian (WA) families in which there was a twin or higher order multiple birth (twin families) in order to measure inherited and environmental contributions to the development of asthma. All WA twin families, whose infants were born during 1990 to 1995, will be invited to become part of an existing Healthway funded, population based registry of WA Twin Child Health (the WATCH study). The WATCH study has already invited 2,751 WA twin families to participate and is the only population based twin study in Australia. Funding of this study by NH and MRC will enable the extension of this unique registry to include more specific clinical information about those families in which one or more of the twins has asthma. In addition to questionnaire data, DNA and physiological information will be collected, including a potentially important new measure of airway inflammation, exhaled nitric oxide which has yet to be studied for familial aggregation. We will use the extended WATCH dataset to undertake a comprehensive investigation of the genetic epidemiology of childhood asthma. This work offers the potential to advance our current understanding of the causes of both childhood asthma and associated traits (e.g., 'twitchy' airways). By exploring the relationships between different components of asthma, we will generate information to assist us to design better epidemiological and genetic studies of asthma. At the time of recruitment, if consent is given, blood will also be taken for DNA extraction and frozen storage. This will generate a powerful data base that can later be used for to search at a molecular level for genes potentially important in causing childhood asthma. Finally, by extending the WATCH study database we will be enhancing a research resource that could potentially be used for future studies of common complex diseases other than asthma.Read moreRead less
Epidemiology Of Middle-age BHR: A Prospective Study From Childhood To Middle Age
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$593,840.00
Summary
Increased airway reactivity (BHR) in middle-age increases the risk of chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) in old age, which are recognised as a major public health problem. Knowledge on the causes of these conditions is currently limited. This project will improve our understanding of the childhood and adult causes of increased reactivity of the airways in middle-age. Such knowledge will help in identifying preventive strategies for middle age BHR and thereby CRDs in old age.
Trials To Prevent The Transmission And Complications Of Sexually Transmitted Infections, Including HIV
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$306,123.00
Summary
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are important causes of illness in some sectors of the community. Even though they can be effectively prevented and treated, many health services do not give them priority. This research project will study ways in which general practitioners can better diagnose and treat STIs. We will carry out trials that compare new approaches to supporting doctors in this area, that involve a mixture of training, reminders and technical support as needed.
This study will follow up over 12,000 men aged 65-83 years who have previously completed a questionnaire about their medical, social, family and occupational history and lifestyle and have undergone a simple physical examination (height, weight, waist, girth at the hips and blood pressure). The first aim is to determine which of these factors predicts serious ill-health from heart disease, stroke and certain cancers in old age. In addition, we will test the hypothesis that risk factors for heart ....This study will follow up over 12,000 men aged 65-83 years who have previously completed a questionnaire about their medical, social, family and occupational history and lifestyle and have undergone a simple physical examination (height, weight, waist, girth at the hips and blood pressure). The first aim is to determine which of these factors predicts serious ill-health from heart disease, stroke and certain cancers in old age. In addition, we will test the hypothesis that risk factors for heart disease also predict the development of dementia because it seems that part of dementia in some patients is explained by their having suffered multiple small strokes. Finally, we will examine the relationship between development of dementia and previous major surgery as there is growing evidence that major surgical operations in older patients can be followed by confusion and impairment of thinking that may never recover fully. The overall aim is to discover preventable factors for several of the leading causes of ill-health in old age.Read moreRead less
Metabolic Syndrome, Inflammation And Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease In Busselton
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$351,300.00
Summary
The metabolic syndrome is a clustering of obesity, insulin resistance, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. It could affect up to 30% of the population and often leads to diabetes and heart disease. Fatty liver disease is a chronic liver condition that often has no symptoms but can lead to serious liver damage. It could affect up to 25% of the population and is common even in people who drink very little alcohol. The rising prevalence of obesity in Australia suggests that the metabolic synd ....The metabolic syndrome is a clustering of obesity, insulin resistance, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. It could affect up to 30% of the population and often leads to diabetes and heart disease. Fatty liver disease is a chronic liver condition that often has no symptoms but can lead to serious liver damage. It could affect up to 25% of the population and is common even in people who drink very little alcohol. The rising prevalence of obesity in Australia suggests that the metabolic syndrome and fatty liver disease may be on the increase and therefore so too could diabetes and heart disease which already consume significant health resources. Using the unique health data collection of the Busselton Health Study in Western Australia, this project will help to determine how common these conditions are in Australia and lead to a better understanding of the nature and causes of these conditions including the possible role of chronic inflammation. This important information will be used to provide opportunities for better risk assessment, disease prevention, and earlier intervention.Read moreRead less
The Real And Changing Atherothrombotic Disease Burden And Secondary Prevention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$507,387.00
Summary
Absolute numbers of Australians with diseased narrowed blood vessels in the heart, brain or leg are increasing, dominating health priorities and expenditure. By linking Department of Health datasets, without identifying individual's, trends in hospital admissions, prescription of chronic protective medications and the cost consequences to the health system among and across conditions will be determined. The findings will provide quality measures of hospital care and inform quality improvement
Inter-relationships Between Life-stage Transitions, Depression And Cardio-metabolic Health In Young Adults
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,325.00
Summary
This study will investigate how social transitions and depression in young Australian adults affect the development of obesity and the adoption or persistence of behaviours that are associated with the risk of heart disease and diabetes. These behaviours include smoking, poor diet, physical inactivity and alcohol consumption. A better understanding of how psychosocial factors influence risk factors for heart disease and diabetes is needed to improve prevention strategies.
Adaptations Of Methods For Estimation Of Familial Correlation In Age At Onset Of Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$146,250.00
Summary
Chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease, breast cancer, prostate cancer and non-insulin dependent diabetes are responsible for a significant burden of ill-health in society. Studies of familial aggregation are important in determining the relative magnitude of genetic and lifestyle-environment factors associated with chronic diseases, and in identifying individuals and families at high risk, even in the absence of conventional risk factors. The findings have implications for health promo ....Chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease, breast cancer, prostate cancer and non-insulin dependent diabetes are responsible for a significant burden of ill-health in society. Studies of familial aggregation are important in determining the relative magnitude of genetic and lifestyle-environment factors associated with chronic diseases, and in identifying individuals and families at high risk, even in the absence of conventional risk factors. The findings have implications for health promotion in the general population and disease prevention in those identified to be at high risk. An outstanding characteristics of these studies is that many participants had an event at some unknown time before the entry. This project aims at adapting current methods to properly account for events before entry and to provide estimates of familial aggregation between parents, between children and between parents and children in the same model. Furthermore, it provides freely available software for proper familial analyses which have not had any feasible numerical methods (or software). In addition, it provides estimates of familial aggregation of coronary heart disease in Busselton families which has longer follow-up than most other studies. This project is very cost effective as the Busselton Health Study consists of a series of cross-sectional surveys since 1968 and currently has hospital morbidity and death follow-up from medical record linkage until the end of 1997.Read moreRead less