LONG TERM FUNCTIONAL ABILITY AND COSTS OF STROKE SUBTYPES.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$270,604.00
Summary
Stroke is the third most common cause of death in Australia, and is more common in the older age groups. Because the population most at risk of developing stroke is growing faster than the rest of the population, it is likely that there will be a large increase in the number of strokes occurring in coming years. At 1 year after stroke about one-third of patients have died, a third remain severely disabled and a third recover with minimal disability. In Australia, there is little information on o ....Stroke is the third most common cause of death in Australia, and is more common in the older age groups. Because the population most at risk of developing stroke is growing faster than the rest of the population, it is likely that there will be a large increase in the number of strokes occurring in coming years. At 1 year after stroke about one-third of patients have died, a third remain severely disabled and a third recover with minimal disability. In Australia, there is little information on outcome beyond 1 year. It is thought that at 5 years after stroke about 55% of patients will die, and a further 10% will have another nonfatal stroke. Stroke is estimated to cost the community in excess of $1 billion a year. Little is known about the long-term costs of stroke to survivors and their relatives. These costs are likely to be substantial, and are likely to include costs related to hospitalisations, outpatient visits, general practitioner visits, medications, aids and community services. It is also likely that substantial informal care is provided by relatives and friends (e.g. assistance with shopping and personal care). The aim of this study is to assess the long-term outcome of patients with stroke. These will include measures of survival, stroke recurrence, and ability to perform usual daily activities. In addition, we aim to determine the long-term use of health care and community resources and the costs incurred by patients, their carers, and the community. Information on survival patterns, stroke recurrence and disability will provide information of great value for health service planning. Such information will also be useful to patients, their families, and medical staff who treat these patients. Information on the costs of stroke will provide the only information about the patterns of long-term health care and community resource use among stroke patients in Australia. This information will be useful for health service planning.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 Predictors Of Prostate Cancer In The Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$358,457.00
Summary
In 1990 we set up a long-term study of diet and health. The aim was to measure diet and other risk factors in healthy people in order to see how they might affect future development of cancer. To do this we recruited 41,500 people aged 40 to 69, measured what they ate and drank, and collected information on other aspects of lifestyle, medical history, and family history of common diseases. All had height and weight and blood pressure measured and gave a blood sample. People were selected so that ....In 1990 we set up a long-term study of diet and health. The aim was to measure diet and other risk factors in healthy people in order to see how they might affect future development of cancer. To do this we recruited 41,500 people aged 40 to 69, measured what they ate and drank, and collected information on other aspects of lifestyle, medical history, and family history of common diseases. All had height and weight and blood pressure measured and gave a blood sample. People were selected so that men and women and migrants from Italy and Greece would be included. In this way we could widen the range of dietary habits, other lifestyle factors and genetic variation (measured in DNA from blood). Since then participants have completed another questionnaire and instances of disease have been noted from self reports and from examining medical records. We want to analyse data from 700 men in the study who have developed prostate cancer (PC). First we will analyse data collected on all 17,000 men (collected when joining the study, and at follow up). Next we will use data from only the 700 men with PC and 1400 men who have not developed PC. This study will focus on measuring substances in the blood. We want to measure a range of fats, vitamins, antioxidants and phytoestrogens, as well as male sex hormones and related substances. In the DNA from the blood we plan to measure variations in genes that influence how male sex hormones and other growth factors important in the prostate are produced and used. We will then be able to estimate what affect these factors have on the risk of getting PC. We will also be able to see if any of them act together to make the risk of PC much higher in certain men. This work should identify what lifestyle factors could reduce the risk of PC. It should also identify what genetic variations are associated with increased risk of PC and thus identify a sub group of men who might benefit from early medical attention or from changes in lifestyle.Read moreRead less