A Novel Sensory Nerve Stimulator To Improve Neuropathy In Patients With Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$407,924.00
Summary
We have developed a painless, self-applied, cheap, battery powered electrical stimulation treatment that improves sensory nerve function in some people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. We have tested this technique in laboratory animals and in people with diabetes and have shown it is effective in some. We now propose to test this technique in a large sample of people similar to the participants in the successful group of our pilot study - 55-65 year old people with diabetes of shorter durat ....We have developed a painless, self-applied, cheap, battery powered electrical stimulation treatment that improves sensory nerve function in some people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. We have tested this technique in laboratory animals and in people with diabetes and have shown it is effective in some. We now propose to test this technique in a large sample of people similar to the participants in the successful group of our pilot study - 55-65 year old people with diabetes of shorter duration. In addition, older people up to 75 years of age, with up to 10 years duration of diabetes will be included separately. If successful, the electrical stimulation could improve sensation leading to fewer ulcerations and amputations. Much suffering and expense would be avoided. - The magnitude of reduction in suffering and expense can be judged from the fact that people with diabetes have 15 times the risk of amputation as do people without diabetes. In Australia half of non-traumatic amputations are done to people with diabetes. Foot ulcers precede amputations in most cases, and in themselves cause much suffering and expense. Australia needs to act on this now because, if current trends continue, the number of people with diabetes will increase as the population ages. -The number of people aged over 65 will increase from around 2.3 million at present to over 6 million in the next half century. The increase in those over 85 will be even more marked with numbers increasing four fold to over one million people. Diabetes affects approximately 23% of people aged 75 or older.Read moreRead less
Extending The MIS BAIR Randomised Trial Of BCG To Prevent Childhood Allergy And Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$939,504.00
Summary
BCG (used till recently to prevent tuberculosis) is a potential low cost and readily available vaccine which could reduce the rates of allergy and infection in Australian children. We propose to extend our existing NHMRC-funded trial, which studies whether BCG vaccinatinon given at birth prevents the development food allergy, eczema and infection in the 1st year of life, to see if this effect continues until 5yrs of age. At this age, we can also see if BCG vaccination at birth prevents asthma.
Acute Respiratory Illness In Indigenous And Non-Indigenous Australian Children And The Pathways To Chronic Lung Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,218.00
Summary
Dr Kerry-Ann O'Grady aims to establish a comprehensive research program addressing acute and chronic respiratory infections in Australian children in urban, rural and remote areas. Drawing on national and international collaborations, Dr O'Grady will undertake a range of epidemiological and clinical studies that will address burden, risk, pathways to chronic lung disease and novel interventions aimed at improving lung health.
Reducing The Community Burden Of Respiratory Infections In Indigenous Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,891.00
Summary
Lower respiratory infections are the leading cause of preventable mortality among Indigenous children in the Northern Territory. Streptococcus pneumoniae remain one of the major paediatric respiratory pathogens. In this proposal I will describe the impact of past and present pneumococcal vaccination strategies on the burden of infant respiratory infections in this region.
I am a paediatrician and respiratory physician with a passion in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and evidence-based clinical practice. My research is built upon a philosophy that encompasses linkages between research, quality clinical work an
Concord Hormones And Ageing In Men Project (CHAMP)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,780,887.00
Summary
Throughout life men have poorer health than women, a health difference that extends into old age. In Australia in 2001, life expectancy for a 65 year old man was 20% less than for a 65 year old woman (81.6 years for men and 85.2 years for women). The study proposed here will fill major gaps in knowledge about key health problems in older men. The study will be called CHAMP: Concord Hormones and Ageing in Men Project. As people grow older, health problems that cause loss of independence and reduc ....Throughout life men have poorer health than women, a health difference that extends into old age. In Australia in 2001, life expectancy for a 65 year old man was 20% less than for a 65 year old woman (81.6 years for men and 85.2 years for women). The study proposed here will fill major gaps in knowledge about key health problems in older men. The study will be called CHAMP: Concord Hormones and Ageing in Men Project. As people grow older, health problems that cause loss of independence and reduced quality of life become increasingly important. The term 'geriatric giants' is sometimes used to describe these disabling syndromes: falls and fractures, cognitive impairment and dementia, urinary incontinence, and poor mobility and functional dependence. CHAMP has been designed to investigate the causes of, and inter-relationships between, these geriatric syndromes in men. Reproductive hormones are responsible for the fundamental biological differences between men and women. Underpinning CHAMP is the idea that age-related changes in reproductive hormones play an important role in the development of the geriatric syndromes in older men. There have been numerous studies of oestrogen and health in older women but only limited research on testosterone and other reproductive hormones in older men. CHAMP will be the largest study of the geriatric syndromes in older men ever conducted. The study will inlvolve 2800 men aged 65 years and over recruited from the community around Concord Hospital in Sydney. These men will each spend 3 hours at the study centre, where they will have a comprehensive physical examination and tests for osteoporosis, muscle weakness, dementia and urinary problems, as well as blood tests. This will all be repeated 2 years later.Read moreRead less