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As general practice is the first point of contact within the Australian health system for patients with asthma, it is important that all available tools are used to provide the best care possible. Accurate and reproducible measurement of airflow obstruction, as measured by spirometry, is a vital part of the management of people with asthma. However the use of valid spirometry in general practice is low. This study aims to examine the potential benefits to patients of using spirometry in the management of asthma in both children and adults, when GPs and staff have been properly trained in the best way to do it and to interpret the results.

To objectively evaluate the efficacy of Safetac soft silicone dressings compared with standard treatment, on skin tear healing rates. Also to measure the impact of wound dressings on the surrounding skin. It is expected that a significantly greater proportion of patient skin tears treated with soft silicone will be healed, without trauma to the surrounding skin, at 7 days when compared with the group receiving standard treatment

Plantar fasciitis is a condition that causes pain in the arch or heel of the foot. It is commonly treated by using foot orthoses (orthotics or shoe insoles). This trial aimed to evaluate the effect of three types of foot orthoses used to treat plantar fasciitis. The trial’s primary hypotheses were (i) do commonly prescribed foot orthoses reduce pain in people with plantar fasciitis, and (ii) do commonly prescribed foot orthoses improve function in people with plantar fasciitis. The trial assessed changes in pain and function in both the short-term (i.e. after 3 months of treatment) and the long-term (i.e. after 12 months of treatment).

Patients will undergo concealed random allocation to either LMWH (dalteparin 5,000 IU once daily, the experimental intervention) or UFH (5,000 IU bid, the control intervention) subcutaneously. The control intervention represents standard thromboprophylaxis in Canada and Australia for these ICU patients, as we have documented in surveys [Cook 2001, Cooper 2005], cross-sectional studies [Cook 2001, Lacherade] and a longitudinal study [Cook 2003]. We will prepare LMWH syringes that contain 5,000 IU of dalteparin. UFH syringes will contain 5,000 IU of UFH. Syringes of LMWH and UFH will appear identical. Patients allocated to LMWH will also receive one placebo injection daily to maintain blinding. For patients allocated to LMWH, the first dose, or the morning dose in each study kit will always be placebo and nurses will administer the numbered doses sequentially. This is to optimize the likelihood that the patients enrolled later in the day into the LMWH arm will receive active drug on study day 1. Nurses will administer study drug at approximately 1100h (+1 hour) (placebo or UFH) and 2300h (+1 hour) (dalteparin or UFH). Study drug will be administered for the duration of the ICU stay. Bilateral proximal leg compression ultrasounds will be performed within 48hours of enrolment, twice weekly, and on suspicion of DVT.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the treatment of periimplant infection (mucositis) with a follow up period of 3 months. Treatment will begin with professional mechanical cleaning around the implant in addition to home tooth-brushing twice daily for 4 weeks with antiseptic (chlorhexidine) gel or placebo gel. The placebo gel will be of the same appearance as the chlorhexidine gel. The gels will be in identical tubes with identical labelling except for individual subjects study numbers.