Chronic pain is a common and debilitating condition. One in five people in the Australian community have been found to experience chronic pain at any one time. Although there is no evidence of a consistent increase in rates of chronic pain, the rate of permanent disability has increased dramatically in recent decades. This has contributed to the growing cost of chronic pain. For example, back pain is the most common reason for filing workers' compensation claims and leads to loss of 101.8 millio ....Chronic pain is a common and debilitating condition. One in five people in the Australian community have been found to experience chronic pain at any one time. Although there is no evidence of a consistent increase in rates of chronic pain, the rate of permanent disability has increased dramatically in recent decades. This has contributed to the growing cost of chronic pain. For example, back pain is the most common reason for filing workers' compensation claims and leads to loss of 101.8 million workdays annually. The annual costs of medical care for back pain alone have been estimated at $AUD50 billion in the US and $10 billion in Australia. Not only is chronic pain a considerable economic burden, it is also a considerable personal burden to patients. Pain is one of the strongest predictors of poor quality of life and has consistently been found to be associated with high rates of depression. Although there is a large body of research that investigates what factors are associated with chronic pain, there is surprisingly little research that investigates the mechanisms that cause chronicity. Theories of chronic pain suggest that psychological characteristics increase the propensity for people to develop chronic pain. Specifically, theories argue that those people who tend to be fearful of pain will over-attend to painful sensations and avoid pain-provoking activities and as a result are at risk of developing chronic pain. This study will test those theories. If it is found that over-attending to pain does predispose patients to develop chronic pain, this will have important implications for preventing the development of chronic pain. These findings could help to devise early interventions to prevent chronicity and thereby reduce the economic burden to health services and the emotional burden to patients in terms of reduced quality of life.Read moreRead less
METHODS - A Randomised Controlled Trial Of METhotrexate To Treat Hand Osteoarthritis With Synovitis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$770,014.00
Summary
Hand osteoarthritis (OA) is common, but has no treatment. Almost 50% of people with hand OA will have joint swelling (synovitis). The hand joint of people with synovitis are 3.5 times more likely to experience joint destruction within as little as 2 years. Drugs used to treat synovitis may reduce pain and joint destruction. We propose that treating patients with symptomatic hand OA and synovitis with the anti-synovitis drug, methotrexate, will be a major medical advance.
Planning female and male vaccination and cervical screening strategies to achieve optimal prevention of HPV-related disease. The findings from this research will inform the development of public health policy on the most cost-effective utilisation of resources for preventing cervical, anogenital and head/neck cancers, and genital warts, in women and men, due to human papillomavirus (HPV). We will evaluate strategies for using emerging screening and vaccine technologies to prevent HPV-related dis ....Planning female and male vaccination and cervical screening strategies to achieve optimal prevention of HPV-related disease. The findings from this research will inform the development of public health policy on the most cost-effective utilisation of resources for preventing cervical, anogenital and head/neck cancers, and genital warts, in women and men, due to human papillomavirus (HPV). We will evaluate strategies for using emerging screening and vaccine technologies to prevent HPV-related disease, and assess potential adverse outcomes of vaccination. Men are currently not covered by routine vaccination or screening programs; this research will assess the benefit to men of vaccinating women only, and will consider the impact of vaccination and other interventions targeted towards men.Read moreRead less
The Future Of Tobacco Control: Exploring The Feasibility, Acceptability And Cost-effectiveness Of New Policy Directions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$495,752.00
Summary
We will examine the practical feasibility, ethical and public acceptability, and likely cost effectiveness of a number of different ways of reducing tobacco smoking and the harm caused by smoking in Australia. These policy options will include: (1) more restrictive policies towards tobacco products (such as prohibiting tobacco smoking and creating a government monopoly on the manufacture and supply of tobacco); (2) encouraging smokers to switch from smoking cigarettes to less harmful ways of usi ....We will examine the practical feasibility, ethical and public acceptability, and likely cost effectiveness of a number of different ways of reducing tobacco smoking and the harm caused by smoking in Australia. These policy options will include: (1) more restrictive policies towards tobacco products (such as prohibiting tobacco smoking and creating a government monopoly on the manufacture and supply of tobacco); (2) encouraging smokers to switch from smoking cigarettes to less harmful ways of using nicotine, such as using nicotine patches or gum ; (3) using new biotechnologies to improve smokers chances of quitting (e.g. genetic screening of smokers to select the most effective way of helping them to stop smoking and vaccinating ex-smokers against the effects of nicotine); and (4) new biotechnologies that may prevent nonsmokers from beginning to smoke (e.g. vaccinating nonsmokers against the effects of nicotine) or reduce the chances of their developing tobacco-related diseases (e.g. screening the population for genes that predict an increased susceptibility to nicotine dependence and tobacco-related diseases). The project will provide important information that will assist government in formulating policies to reduce the rate of cigarette smoking in the Australian population below current levels.Read moreRead less
The effectiveness of pro-active telemarketing of a smoking cessation telephone counselling service. Despite the availability of services, such as telephone support lines to help people quit, only a small number of smokers seek help. One solution is to pro-actively contact and offer support with quitting to smokers in the community. This study will involve pro-actively contacting households by telephone and offering intensive, personalised telephone counselling to smokers to support them in the q ....The effectiveness of pro-active telemarketing of a smoking cessation telephone counselling service. Despite the availability of services, such as telephone support lines to help people quit, only a small number of smokers seek help. One solution is to pro-actively contact and offer support with quitting to smokers in the community. This study will involve pro-actively contacting households by telephone and offering intensive, personalised telephone counselling to smokers to support them in the quitting process. Such a service will provide treatment to smokers who might not otherwise seek assistance to quit, thereby greatly increasing the potential impact of quit smoking services at a community level.Read moreRead less
Effectiveness And Cost-effectiveness Of Systematic Screening For Lynch Syndrome (LS) In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$485,762.00
Summary
Lynch syndrome (LS) is an inherited condition that puts people at an increased risk of developing a range of cancers. We will use a detailed simulation model to evaluate the potential health benefits of testing new cases of colorectal, endometrial and ovarian cancers for LS, and whether this would be cost-effective. The aim is to identify LS-related cancer cases, so family members can be offered LS testing, and individuals found to have LS can be offered close observation/preventative surgery.
Assessment Of The Effects Of Pathogenic Germline TP53 Mutations; International Sarcoma Kindred Study Participants’ Views Of Feedback Of Genetic Research Results And The Acceptability Of Taking Part In A Pilot Screening Programme
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$55,242.00
Summary
The International Sarcoma Kindred Study (ISKS) aims to identify individuals who harbour germline TP53 mutations. TP53 mutations are characterised by the development of multiple cancers including sarcoma. This project will assess ISKS participants’ views of the feedback of genetic research information and will develop sensitive feedback practices. The acceptability and psychological impact of taking part in a pilot screening protocol designed for cancer-prone populations will also be assessed.
Technology is changing the lives of Australians. We need to understand the impact on health to gain the benefits with minimal harm. This fellowship will support a program of internationally leading research drawing together ergonomics, physiotherapy and physical activity expertise. Example projects include the impact of electronic games on children’s activity, walking workstations to increase physical activity of office workers and a family-based program for overweight adolescents.
Re-participation In Screening For Colorectal Cancer: Behavioural Outcomes And Predictors.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$687,438.00
Summary
Screening for bowel cancer (CRC) is an important public health initiative. It is most effective when undertaken regularly but there is little research on what personal factors relate to ongoing participation in a screening program. This study will determine the factors associated with ongoing participation in CRC screening and will lead to better screening programs and improved health benefits. This study directly addresses the Cancer Australia priority area re improving screening programs.
Green Tea Polyphenols And Cancer Prevention: Use Of Population Controls And Biomarkers To Elicit Causal Pathways
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$956,189.00
Summary
There is laboratory evidence that chemicals in green tea (poloyphenols) protect against cancer. Epidemiologic studies in humans have generally supported these findings, especially for breast cancer. This project is a crucial stepping stone towards future prospects of a large-scale trial using green tea extract. It will see if the protection extends to leukaemia and bowel cancer, and will identify the genetic makeup of people who are able to benefit the most from green tea polyphenols.