The Validity Of ‘8 Instruments’ Used To Include Quality Of Life In Economic Evaluation In 8 Disease Areas And 6 Countries
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$856,212.00
Summary
The Quality of Life is incorporated in the economic evaluation of health services using different ‘utility instruments’. Small scale comparative studies reveal large discrepancies between measurements. Very few studies combine multiple utility and disease specific instruments and to date no studies have compared utility instruments with scales measuring subjective wellbeing (happiness) or human capabilities. This project will mount the largest cross national survey to date of these questions.
Risk Stratification Of Older People In Hospital: Validation And Influence On Clinical Decision Making
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$291,067.00
Summary
Older people in hospital are at high risk of adverse outcomes, a vulnerability commonly referred to as frailty. In community-dwelling older people, frailty status can be measured precisely with a Frailty Index score. This research aims to develop a Frailty Index from a standardised comprehensive geriatric assessment instrument used in the routine care of many patients in hospital. This would assist clinicians to identify vulnerable older inpatients, improving their care in the acute setting.
Validating Novel Biomarkers Relevant To Major Depression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$515,550.00
Summary
Depression prevention and treatment are public health priorities; therefore, it is critical to improve and personalise treatments, which can only be achieved by advancing knowledge of its underlying biology. This research project will contribute to validating potentially relevant genes for MDD risk or antidepressant response and to provide the scientific foundation for future strategies to test their products as MDD biomarkers in the clinical setting.
Risk prediction models incorporating multiple risk factors (including genetic markers) are a recognised method to identify individuals at high risk of developing breast or colorectal cancer, but it is uncertain which model(s) currently perform best in a population setting. We aim to compare the predictive ability of each available model. Knowing which model performs best will facilitate early diagnosis, reduce overall costs by better targeting interventions and improve cancer survival.
How Can We Accurately Predict Intra-cranial Injury In Children: The APIC Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$836,500.00
Summary
Head injuries are a common in children. Even a seemingly minor incident may cause serious brain injury. Whilst head computed tomography (CT) identifies all important injuries there is a growing recognition that radiation from CTs increases the risk of fatal brain cancers, especially in younger children. This study of 10,000 children with head injuries aims to investigate the best way to accurately predict which children should undergo a head CT, and which children do not require one.
Evaluation Of SCID-I In The Diagnosis Of Mental Disorders In Indigenous Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$988,007.00
Summary
Current estimates of mental disease among Indigenous Australians are inadequate. This research will examine the use of a structured interview tool that is promoted globally for diagnosing mental disorders, and then use the tool to quantify the burden of mental illness among Indigenous Australians. The findings will provide accurate estimates of occurrence of mental disorders, thereby help inform policy making and planning of services for Indigenous Australians.
Control Of Prosthetic Limbs From Decoded Brain Signals
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$895,832.00
Summary
This research will restore mobility to patients who suffer from paralysis. We aim to create a device, known as a brain-machine interface, which is an artificial communication path from the brain that bypasses an injury, such as a damaged spinal cord or stroke. The interface will decode a user’s intent and act upon it. Decoders will use physiological principals and state-of-the-art machine learning methods. We will test a user’s ability to control an artificial limb using decoded brain activity.
Development And Population-based Validation Of Hierarchical Adaptive Mental Health Screeners
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$391,710.00
Summary
Although 45% of all Australians will experience a lifetime mental disorder, methods to identify mental health problems are inadequate. This project will develop and validate new mental health screening tools, building on a new generation of screeners developed in the US. These screeners will be tailored to the individual, resulting in highly precise and flexible assessment tools. The screeners will be tested in a large community survey, forming the basis for future tailored mental health service ....Although 45% of all Australians will experience a lifetime mental disorder, methods to identify mental health problems are inadequate. This project will develop and validate new mental health screening tools, building on a new generation of screeners developed in the US. These screeners will be tailored to the individual, resulting in highly precise and flexible assessment tools. The screeners will be tested in a large community survey, forming the basis for future tailored mental health services.Read moreRead less
Predicting Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Using 3D Craniofacial Photography
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$424,715.00
Summary
Sleep Apnoea is a common medical condition associated with snoring and collapse of the throat during sleep. Diagnosis of sleep apnoea involves an overnight sleep study in a specialised laboratory, which is expensive and time consuming. It is possible that sleep apnea could be diagnosed from a 3-dimensional photograph of the face. This study will define the relationships between sleep apnea and 3D face photographs in 956 young adults and 1,200 of their parents, and 3,000 sleep clinic patients.
Evaluation Of Blood-based Screening Tests For Colorectal Neoplasia; From Biomarker Candidates To Accurate And Acceptable Tests
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$767,382.00
Summary
Current bowel cancer screening tests require people to collect a stool sample. While able to be done at home, this creates certain inconveniences and has other barriers to its use including being distasteful to some. Also, even though stool tests are useful they are not as accurate as we would like. We have discovered a molecule in the blood of patients with bowel cancer that could, if configured as a screening test, serve to be of even greater accuracy and also be more acceptable to people.