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Allogeneic haemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a potentially curative procedure for a wide range of haematological malignancies, but the benefit of the graft versus malignancy effect is often offset by increased toxicity of graft versus host disease (GVHD) and infection. Reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens have become more commonly used over the last 10 years in HSCT in an attempt to provide the potential curative benefit of allografting to a wider patient population. Most published literature on RIC transplantation has concentrated on one disease and the relative benefit of a particular form of RIC conditioning in that disease setting. There have been few studies analyzing a commonly used regimen and assessing its benefit across several disease groups. Indeed, there is no consensus on the relative benefits of a certain RIC regimen even in myeloid or lymphoid malignancies as a general group of diseases. In this study, we retrospectively assess the relative benefits of FluMel RIC HSCT from 1998-2008, in a large cohort of patients with either lymphoid or myeloid malignancies.

To review the effects of utilising reverse taper Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (PICCs), specifically in relation to thrombus formation in deep upper limb vessels.

This randomised clinical trial is investigating the preventive effect of subcutaneous methylnaltrexone, in comparison with placebo, on the severity of pruritus in women receiving spinal anaesthesia including intrathecal morphine for caesarean section.

The project aims to show that oral vitamin D supplementation will improve the severity of childhood atopic dermatitis (eczema). We will compare the severity of disease in children with moderate-severe atopic dermatitis after 3 months of daily Vitamin D therapy or placebo, using randomised double blind placebo controlled methodology. We propose that the severity of moderate and moderate-severe atopic dermatitis will be significantly decreased by oral Vitamin D therapy. We aim to show that in these children, following 3 months of daily vitamin D3 at 1000IU, there will be a significant decrease in their disease severity and decreased use of topical corticosteroids. We aim to demonstrate a significant improvement in the quality of life for these children, as measured by a validated quality of life questionnaire.

Family Planning NSW has developed and will evaluate a new print resource (booklet), the purpose of which is to supply essential, relevant and accurate information about contraception for young people. The evaluation aims to compare the effectiveness of the new youth-friendly contraception booklet to our current booklet. Investigators will utilise a cluster randomised design to compare contraceptive knowledge and attitudes before and after viewing one of the two booklets. Investigators will recruit 24 Youth Centres to participate in the research and each Centre will be randomised to one of two groups: 1) current contraceptive booklet, or 2) new youth-friendly booklet. Participating Youth Centre study coordinators will each recruit 15 participants between the ages of 14-24 years. After enrolment and providing informed consent, participants will complete a baseline survey assessing contraceptive knowledge and attitudes and will then be asked to read the booklet over the next one to two weeks. Two weeks after receiving the booklet, each participant will be asked to complete the online follow-up survey also assessing knowledge, attitudes and general satisfaction with the resource.

This study aims to compare the efficacy of two different creams for the management of radiation-induced skin reactions in patients with cancer. Who is it for? You may be eligible to join this study if you are aged over 18 and are scheduled to undergo radical radiotherapy for lung cancer, breast cancer or head and neck cancer at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. You will not be eligible if you have any pre-existing skin conditions or have any known allergies towards any ingredient of either of the creams. Trial details Participants in this trial will be randomly (by chance) allocated to one of two treatment groups. Participants in one group will apply a natural oil-based emulsion containing allantoin to their skin twice a day or more as needed depending on the occurrence of radiation-induced skin reactions. Participants in the other group will use an aqueous (water-based) cream instead. Participants will not know which cream they are using until the end of the trial. Participants will be assessed prior to radiotherapy, weekly during radiotherapy, and four weeks after the completion of radiotherapy, in order to determine the effects of both creams in reducing radiation-induced skin reactions, improving pain, itching and quality of life.

There are reasons to believe that medical grade-honey applied directly to skin may be an effective treatment for rosacea. In this study 10 adults with rosacea will apply honey to their face for 30-60 minutes twice daily for 2 weeks. After two weeks the rosacea will be assessed to look at changes in severity. Participants will also be asked about their experience of using honey. This trial will provide useful information on the practicalities of topical honey as a treatment for rosacea. It will also give an initial signal as to whether honey may be effective.

Critically ill patients may be temporarily placed on extracorporeal memebrane oxygenation (ECMO) machines to allow the heart and lungs to rest while the disease is treated with drugs. ECMO, together with severe illness, affects the way drugs work. This research aims to understand the combined effects of the ECMO circuit and severe illness on drug treatment. The results will allow us to develop guidelines to assist doctors in administering the right dose of the right drug at the right time to patients on ECMO.

The provision of education, counselling and support directed at enhancing patient self-care skills is an important aspect in the longterm management of chronic heart failure (CHF). This study builds upon CIA Cameron's PhD program of research that identified factors that predicted CHF self-care [1-3]. The proposed study will evaluate a unique screening tool that complements the existing nursing assessment, helping to identify an individual’s level of CHF self-care ability according to three domains: physical, emotional and cognitive functioning, and patient clinical characteristics. The implementation of this screening tool will guide health care professionals in determining if the patient is at low, medium or high risk of inadequate CHF self-care, thereby permitting sophisticated monitoring and serving as a basis for developing individualised plans of care, including educational and behavioural strategies directed at promoting self-care. In this manner, tailoring education and follow-up strategies to individual need and ability may further enhance the clinical status of patients, ensuring that these vulnerable patients remain in their community for longer periods. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical application of the CHF self-care assessment tool. The research will be conducted at the Eastern Health sites that conduct a CHF management program (Box Hill, Maroondah and Angliss hospitals). Recruitment to the study will be conducted over a 16 month period. A research associate from Eastern Health’s Cardiology Research Department will recruit approximately 240 patients from the three CHF management programs within Eastern Health.

This study is a pilot study as part of the development of Bite Back, an online positive psychology intervention for young people. The Study seeks to understand the effectiveness and useability of Bite Back in a group of young people aged 12 to 18 years from both a community sample and a high school sample. In the community sample, participants are encouraged to use the program at their leisure, while in the schools sample, the website is used in a structured format with the aid of a workbook. Participants are randomly allocated to either the experimental condition (Bite Back) or the control condition (neutral websites). It is hypothesised that the experimental conditions will demonstrate increased wellbeing at the end of the trial period in comparison to the control condition.