ANZCTR search results

In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 80 adults who are currently experiencing digestive complaints will be randomly assigned to receive capsules containing either a curcumin extract (500mg a day) or placebo for 60 days. We will assess change in digestive symptoms, intestinal bacteria, general mood, and overall quality of life.

This is a Phase I/II, double-blind, parallel-group, randomized, placebo-controlled multi-centre trial in 180 patients randomized 1:1:1 to receive the IMP (Dexamethasone acetate microspheres for extended-release injectable micro-suspension, SX600 at 12.5 mg or 25.0 mg) or Placebo (0.9% Sodium Chloride for Injection, BP) via transforaminal epidural injection to the lumbosacral epidural space.

Routine coagulation studies, such as INR and platelet count, do not accurately reflect the risk of bleeding in chronic liver disease (CLD) patients due to the complex changes in the coagulation system that occurs in CLD. Subsequently, the use of blood products in this setting is resource intensive and not evidence based. It is suggested that rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM), can predict the risk of thrombosis and bleeding in CLD. The aim of this proposal is to study the effects of a ROTEM-guided blood product protocol in patients with CLD undergoing interventional procedures associated with a moderate to high risk of bleeding. Patients randomized to the ROTEM arm will receive blood products guided by the ROTEM algorithm, developed for the trial, prior to their invasive procedure. Blood products used will be compared to those used in the standard of care arm at each of the participating sites. It is anticipated that the study will show a significant reduction in blood product usage associated with the ROTEM arm. It is hoped that findings from this study will help establish improved evidence based guidelines for patients with CLD undergoing invasive procedures.

Why is this study needed? Despite great improvement in child oral health, some children still suffer from higher levels of tooth decay. Geographic and socioeconomic barriers and the lack of access to dental care services are among common reasons for poor oral health in children. Although dental caries is largely preventable, it is still the most common childhood chronic disease. If dental caries remains untreated, it can have a significant impact not only on children’s teeth but also on their general health, wellbeing and quality of life. Historically in Australia, school dental therapists have been responsible for providing dental care for school children through a State-funded programme called the School Dental Services (SDS). The current SDS has been unable to provide sustainable dental care to all school children due to a reduction in workforce participation and limited resources. Thus, there is a need for an equitable and cost-efficient model of dental care to enhance the opportunity to provide sustainable dental care for school children, particularly, among those living in rural or remote regions. What will we do? We propose a paradigm shift in the current service through the introduction of user-friendly technology to provide a foundation for sustainable SDS. The current project is aimed to take advantage of mobile technologies, using a smartphone camera to acquire dental images from a child’s mouth at his/her school and forwarding images electronically to an offsite dental practitioner to assess and prepare recommendations remotely. Such an approach will enable dental practitioners to assess the teeth of school children without needing to be physically present. This would help to prioritise high-risk children and provide them with a quick treatment pathway and avoid unnecessary referrals or travelling.

We performed an audit to determine the extent of prolonged and excessive fasting amongst elective surgery patients. We aimed to compare the actual fasting times of elective surgery patients to the recommended fasting times as per our institution’s guidelines. Additionally, we completed a quality improvement project aiming to determine whether notification of fasting times by short message service (SMS) the day before surgery would improve fasting times and reduce excessive fasting. We hypothesised that the usage of an SMS reminder one day prior to surgery would assist patients in adhering to fasting guidelines and thus reduce excessive fasting.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients is associated with a higher incidence of peri-procedural myocardial infarction. An increased release of neutrophil-derived inflammatory products is known to contribute to this process. Colchicine is a well-established anti-inflammatory drug, however its role in attenuating post-PCI release of activated neutrophil-mediators is not well known. This pilot study aims to investigate whether peri-procedural colchicine would suppress local release of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps, and its components Human Neutrophil Elastase and Myeloperoxidases, in both ACS and stable angina pectoris patients.

The overall project aim is to investigate the effectiveness of adding an expert-moderated, peer-to-peer online support group (OSG) to an information website for people with clinically diagnosed knee osteoarthritis (OA). This study will investigate the feasibility of conducting the RCT by exploring fidelity (to trial and intervention protocols), satisfaction and engagement with the planned interventions, outcomes and costs. The primary objective will be to determine the feasibility of delivering the intervention in a trial setting and of recruiting and retaining participants. In terms of outcome measures, we will explore the impact of the intervention on psychological determinants that can explain self-management and lifestyle behaviour change. We will also measure behaviour and health outcomes as part of the feasibility assessment. The study will include two nested qualitative studies that will explore the type and content of posts, and the perceptions and experiences of participants in the OSG. We will conduct a two-arm, pragmatic parallel-design randomised controlled pilot trial (RCT) in 60 volunteers (20 in control group, 40 in intervention group) from around Australia who have clinical knee OA. The study will be run from the Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine at the University of Melbourne.

This study will compare two versions of the Physically Active Children in Education (PACE) intervention in increasing the minutes of planned weekly physical activity scheduled by classroom teachers. The aim is to determine whether an adapted PACE (i.e., delivery of teacher training by in-school champions rather than expert project officers) is statistically noninferior to the original PACE (i.e., delivery of teacher training by expert project officers). Forty eight schools in the HNE region have been randomly allocated to either the adapted PACE or original PACE group, and follow-up measurements will be taken at 12 months.

The purpose for fluid replacement is to maintain normal body homeostasis (balance). The theoretical advantages of a having normal acid-base balance is a lower incidence of postoperative complications i.e. less breathing difficulties, less heart, kidney and liver complications, improvements in time to mobilize, and a shorter duration of hospital stay. During abdominal surgery fluid losses can occur from evaporative losses from your skin, losses from your urine, and losses from any bleeding that can result from the surgery. In Australia and most countries in the world, the most commonly used clear fluid to replace any fluid loss during major abdominal surgery is Hartmann’s solution. This is standard fluid therapy for all patients undergoing liver major abdominal surgery at Austin Health. Hartmann’s solution has certain limitations in that it contains certain electrolytes (an essential mineral for normal health) as part of its normal content. One of these electrolyte is called lactate. Lactate is however reliant on the liver for its metabolism, which is why this fluid is not used in patients undergoing major liver surgery, including liver transplantation. However, during major abdominal surgery, there can be an additional stress from the surgery on the liver, which can in turn, affect the normal functioning of the liver. If the liver does not function normally, then lactate cannot be completely metabolized (broken down). This can affect normal acid base balance or body homeostasis. In this study we are investigating whether a clear fluid called “bicarbonate buffered solution” is comparable to Hartmann’s solution during major abdominal surgery. The bicarbonate buffered solution contains no “lactate” and may have a more favourable effect on the “acid-base” balance

The purpose for this fluid replacement is to maintain normal body homeostasis (balance). The theoretical advantages of a having normal acid-base balance is a lower incidence of postoperative complications i.e. less breathing difficulties, less heart and kidney complications, improvements in time to mobilise, and a shorter duration of hospital stay. During surgery fluid losses can occur from evaporative losses from your skin, losses from your urine, and losses from any bleeding that can result from the surgery. In Australia and most countries in the world, the most commonly used clear fluid to replace any fluid loss during liver transplantation is Plasmalyte solution. This is standard fluid therapy for all patients undergoing liver transplantation at Austin Health. Plasmlayte solution has certain limitations in that it contains certain electrolytes (also called “anions”) that are reliant on the liver for metabolism. During liver transplantation, as the liver does not function normally, this can affect normal “body-balance”. In this study we are investigating whether a clear fluid called “bicarbonate buffered solution” is comparable to Plamalyte solution during transplantation. This solution contains no “anions” and may have a more favourable effect on the “acid-base” balance.