Genetic Associations Of Early Retinal Pathologic Phenotypes: Data Pooling And Meta-analyses Of Multiple Populations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$736,481.00
Summary
We aim to use data already collected from multiple population-based studies to investigate the likely pathogeneses of early retinal phenotypes that are either markers for cardiovascular risk or precursors of a blinding condition. Understanding if there are genetic susceptibilities for these phenotypes, and if so, how they together with environmental exposures jointly influence the occurrence of the diseases may be key to reduce the burden from cardiovascular disease and blindness.
I am an epidemiologist investigating: 1) the frequency, pathogenesis, risk factors and impacts of common age-related eye disease, particularly focused on the four leading causes of blindness: age-related macular degeneration, cataract, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy; 2) the potential for screening and clinical diagnostic value of retinal imaging and retinal vascular signs as predictors of major systemic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
A National Case-Control Study Of The Causes Of Childhood Brain Tumours
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,159,259.00
Summary
Childhood brain tumours are the second most common childhood cancer (~20%) after leukaemia (~35%) and are the leading cause of cancer death among children. Children who survive a brain tumour are often left with physical and mental problems as a result of treatment. This can have a significant impact on the child, family and community. Greater understanding of the causes of childhood brain tumours may lead to preventative measures. Most children with brain tumours are very young, suggesting that ....Childhood brain tumours are the second most common childhood cancer (~20%) after leukaemia (~35%) and are the leading cause of cancer death among children. Children who survive a brain tumour are often left with physical and mental problems as a result of treatment. This can have a significant impact on the child, family and community. Greater understanding of the causes of childhood brain tumours may lead to preventative measures. Most children with brain tumours are very young, suggesting that factors to which parents are exposed may affect future children. For this reason, it is important to study the parents as well as the child. This study will investigate environmental exposures known to be harmful, such as parental cigarette smoking and exposure to pesticides and other chemicals. Such exposures are also thought to increase the risk of other childhood cancers like Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. We will also investigate whether dietary factors - including vitamin supplements - in the parents or the child can reduce the risk of a child developing a brain tumour. This study also examines genetic factors which can influence the body's ability to deal with toxins. Some genetic variations, combined with diet and lifestyle factors, may alter the risk of developing some cancers. These interactions need to be examined in greater detail for childhood brain tumours. This national study will examine specific genes and analyse them in conjunction with rigorous assessment of exposures throught to be related to the development of childhood brain tumours. Results obtained from children with brain tumours and their parents will be compared with those from healthy 'control' children and their parents. This is the first study to assess gene-environment interactions in relation to the risk of childhood brain tumours.Read moreRead less
Use And Adequacy Of Diabetic Retinopathy Screening: A Whole Population Linked Data Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$219,382.00
Summary
Diabetes and its health complications are major public health issues presently facing Australia. Currently, around 7% of Australians have diabetes and it is estimated that 300 million people will be diabetic within 20-years. One major complication of diabetes is diabetic retinopathy, which is the most common cause of blindness in working-age adults. Although early treatment can prevent vision loss from diabetic retinopathy, often there are no visual symptoms until the condition is more advanced ....Diabetes and its health complications are major public health issues presently facing Australia. Currently, around 7% of Australians have diabetes and it is estimated that 300 million people will be diabetic within 20-years. One major complication of diabetes is diabetic retinopathy, which is the most common cause of blindness in working-age adults. Although early treatment can prevent vision loss from diabetic retinopathy, often there are no visual symptoms until the condition is more advanced and less treatable. Consequently, it is vital that people with diabetes have their eyes examined regularly. We aim to investigate the use of eye services by people with diabetes. The WA Data Linkage System provides the unique opportunity to efficiently examine the benefits of specialist eye care in diabetics within WA over a 17-year period. The study period encompasses the introduction of NHMRC guidelines for diabetic retinopathy screening in 1997. This will enable us to examine the effectiveness of these guidelines in increasing ophthalmic services use by people with diabetes. Evaluating these trends will provide important data on the effectiveness of policy and NHMRC guidelines in improving diabetic eye care, which has never been comprehensively investigated. Early intervention can prevent and delay vision loss from diabetic retinopathy, substantially reducing the personal and community burden from diabetes. The identification of poorly screened groups will enable more targeted programs to improve the use of ophthalmic series, which in turn may reduce the risk of: i) eye surgery related to diabetes, ii) injury resulting from diabetes-related vision disorder or iii) blindness. The feasibility of using linked health data to evaluate eye screening in diabetics will enable future work addressing processes of care in the prevention of other diabetic complications to be undertaken quickly and cost-effectively.Read moreRead less