Joint Longitudinal And Time-to-event Models For Applications In Health Research
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$86,073.00
Summary
A recently developed statistical technique ("joint modelling") allows for both repeatedly measured biomarker data (for example, blood pressure measurements) and event time data (for example, time until death) to be analysed together. There are several potential benefits to using these models, but since the methods are relatively new their uptake in applied health research remains limited. This PhD will consist of several distinct but interrelated projects which explore the use of these models.
An Investigation Into The Relationship Between Physical Activity And Asthma In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$36,174.00
Summary
It is important to understand whether physical activity can prevent asthma, or whether asthma prevents children from being physically active, as this will influence the decisions we make with regard to the management of both childhood asthma and childhood activity. This work uses data from two studies of Australian children to tease out which path is the most important path to target when trying to increase physical activity levels and improve the respiratory health of children and adolescents.
The Association Between Disability Acquisition, Socio-economic Disadvantage And Health: A Longitudinal Analysis Of Trajectories Of Disability
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$92,539.00
Summary
People with disabilities are more likely to live in disadvantaged circumstances and experience poorer health and wellbeing than people without disabilities. The aim of my research is to contribute a nuanced, causally-robust longitudinal analysis of the relationships between disability, socio-economic disadvantage and health. I will model disability trajectories to characterise the diversity of disability experiences over time, and the determinants and consequences of different trajectories.
Long Term Outcomes Following Early Infection And Inflammation In Cystic Fibrosis Lung Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$75,006.00
Summary
This study involves the long-term follow up of birth cohort of 98 infants with cystic fibrosis, with the objectives of assessing the impact of lower airway infection and inflammation in infancy and early childhood on the development of CF lung disease over 20-25 years, and of describing the development of the lower airway microbiota in early CF lung disease and its relationship to clinical outcomes.
Long Term Outcomes Of Patients And Caregivers Following An Intensive Care Unit Admission
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$78,399.00
Summary
I am an intensive care physiotherapist focused on the longer term outcome of intensive care on survivors & their caregivers. International reports suggest that these patients & their caregivers may be adversely affected. No such research has been carried out in Australia & I intend to follow up this group at 5 years post intensive care to investigate the impact intensive care may have on their quality of life and function.
Brain Connectivity Biomarkers Predict Specific Memory Consolidation Deficits Across Dementia Subtypes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$83,149.00
Summary
With the increasing ageing population there is expected to be a significant increase in the number of dementia cases in the near future. This project aims to improve the accuracy of existing diagnostic protocols for dementia by combining recent advances in magnetic resonance imaging with traditional cognitive assessments. We expect the outcome to improve detection in the early stages of disease onset so that patients may receive immediate medical treatment.
Communication Recovery In The Initial 12 Months Following Traumatic Brain Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$77,832.00
Summary
The aims of this study are to learn more about how a person's communication recovers in the first year after a traumatic brain injury. The study will determine what factors may help people with traumatic brain injury recover their communication skills.
A Dietary Intervention For Sarcopenia In Cirrhosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$128,224.00
Summary
Patients with chronic liver failure, or cirrhosis, suffer many complications. Sarcopenia, the loss of muscle and muscle weakness, is one of these. It is associated with reduced survival. Patients with cirrhosis have low levels of branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) which are used as building blocks for protein and energy in muscle. We aim to explore how oral supplements of BCAAs might improve muscle in this population. If this improves muscle mass, we also expect it may improve other outcomes.
Quality Of Life, Associated Psychological And Economic Family Impacts, And Trajectory Of Recovery In Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Paediatric Burns Patients.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$86,117.00
Summary
Over a third of burns injuries in Australia are paediatric, with over representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Burns are a major injury, having devastating long term consequences, connected to psychological distress, trauma, cost and disability. This research focusses on quality of life measures, economic impacts and psychological distress, investigating enabling and inhibitory factors to burns recovery in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their family.
Determining The Natural History Of Localized High-risk Melanoma And Risk Factors For Melanoma Metastasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$103,980.00
Summary
This PhD thesis aims to describe 2-year survival rates of patients with localised melanoma. We will investigate risk factors and patterns of melanoma spread in patients with high-risk localised lesions. Risk factors for developing ulcerated versus non-ulcerated melanomas will be explored. We aim to describe support service use in melanoma patients in rural, regional and urban areas in Queensland.