ANZCTR search results

Current therapy for irritable bowel syndrome is suboptimal. Recent studies have suggested that small intestinal bacterial overgrowth may be present and that its treatment may have therapeutic benefit. The primary aim is to examine whether the effect of Yakult on a breath hydrogen test feature of bacterial overgorwoth that was seen in the pilot study is reproducible and specific to the study treatment, or just a chance observation. The secondary aims were to define the effect of Yakult on the rate at which the stomach empties, to compare the effects on gut symptoms of Yakult, placebo and Yakult withdrawal, and to examine the association of change in breath test patterns with changes in gut symptoms. In addition, because bacterial overgrowth is said to be causally associated with fructose malabsorption, another aim is to examine the effect of Yakult and the changes in breath test patterns with changes in fructose absorption and malabsorption. The major study hypotheses are that Yakult corrects small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and that this correction is associated with improvement in symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome

The primary purpose of the study is to assess microbial contamination of antibacterial contact lens cases when used in conjunction with marketed contact lenses worn on a daily wear and monthly replacement schedule and to compare the results to a historical control. Hypothesis: antibacterial lens cases will have less contamination inside the lens storage case than a regular lens case

This study looks at the effectiveness of the drugs lapatinib and vinorelbine in treating breast cancer (HER2/neu positive type) which has spread to distant sites and has been previously treated. Who is it for? You can join this study if you are a woman with Her2-positive breast cancer which has spread to distant sites and has progressed after initial treatment with trastuzumab-based treatment followed by lapatinib-capecitabine. Trial details Participants will receive lapatinib (1250 mg orally once daily) continuously and vinorelbine (20 mg/m2 (intra venous) on Day 1 and Day 8, of a 21-day cycle. Treatment will continue until any major toxic symptoms occur, or the disease or symptoms progress. If the cancer fails to respond, the patient will stop the study treatment and enter into the Survival Follow Up, where the cancer will be managed at the investigator’s discretion. Regular tumour scans will be used to monitor the disease. Scans will be completed 6 weekly until week 24 and then every 12 weeks thereafter. Quality of Life questionnaire will be completed by the patient to evaluate their pain and pain-relief use during the treatment period. The best combination of drugs to use after HER2 positive breast cancer has progressed on lapatinib-capecitabine is not known. Vinorelbine and lapatinib both have activity for the treatment of breast cancer. The study aims to evaluate the effect of this combination of drugs on survival rates and quality of life. Throughout the study the safety of the patient will be continually reviewed by the study doctor (physical examination, vital signs, side effects assessment & regular safety blood tests). Cardiac safety will be monitored by serial multi-gated acquisition scan (MUGA) or Echocardiograph at weeks 12, 24 & 52. For the first 5 patients enrolled in the study the Data Safety Monitoring Committee will review all side effects experienced during the course of cycle 1 and 2. This is to ensure that this treatment combination does not cause unacceptable side effects in a group of patients who have already received several lines of anti-cancer treatment. Overall survival will be assessed by contacting the patients every 3 months during the Survival follow up part of the study.

To investigate the feasibility of a community-based randomised control trial exploring the practices employed by general practitioners and exercise physiologists in the management of overweight/obese patients, and their effect on weight reduction and cardiovascular risk factors.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease in which airways become thick and inflamed, making it hard to breathe. Cells in the airways make more mucus than usual, which tends to obstruct the airways, contributing to cough and difficulty getting air in and out of the lungs. Chronic inflammation present in COPD is a complex response of the immune system that may occur for a long period of time and cause undesirable consequences in the body tissues and organs. Inflammation may not only damage the lungs but also affect one’s daily living activities. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cells found in your lungs, that if increased, may cause lung damage. SCH 527123 is a new investigational drug that is intended to block the movement of neutrophils into the airways. Treatment with SCH 527123 may decrease the number of neutrophils in the airways which may lead to the improvement of lung function, COPD symptoms, COPD exacerbations and quality of life. Reducing the number of neutrophils in the airways may also prevent or delay the progression of disease as measured by the deterioration in lung function. The primary purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of SCH 527123 in subjects with COPD.

An experimental study to investigate the afferent nerves involved in laser acupuncture at HT7 in healthy subjects : using functional MRI.

Recruitment will be through the Black Dog Institute, UNSW. Due to the twice weekly intervention and then weekly intervention in the second month, only metropolitan participants will be accepted. The study is expected to continue until at least 50 subjects are recruited or until June 2010 ,whichever is first.

This study looks the effectiveness of a web-based toolkit for young women, explaining how to reduce the risks of cervical cancer. You can join this study if you are a woman aged 19-26 years, have access to the internet and are considering a GP visit to discuss cervical cancer prevention. Trial details Participants visiting their GP will be divided into two groups. One group will be provided with an online ‘decision tool’ prior to the consultation. The other group will have a standard consultation only. The web-based toolkit will be a one-stop source of information for the latest information about cervical cancer, and will also provide feedback on consultation length, HPV knowledge, etc. Women will ideally learn to access the tool before their Pap test every two years. The aim is see whether the toolkit is effective in increasing the proportion of young women adequately informed about HPV without increasing the consultation time. The preparation of patients before the consultation is an important model that could be transferable to other aspects of general practice.

A very strong predictor for developing diabetes is having diabetes during pregnancy. In the vast majority of cases, pregnancy diabetes resolves after the delivery of the baby, but these women are then at high risk of subsequently developing type 2 diabetes. This project aims to reduce this risk. Women who have developed diabetes during pregnancy will be invited to take part. A lifestyle modification program will be developed and evaluated for these women so that their risk of progressing to diabetes is reduced. Reduced risk will be assessed by monitoring clinical and behavioural outcomes of participants in the lifestyle program before and after completion (particularly any reduction in diabetes risk, weight and central body obesity, and changes in quality of life) and by comparing these with another group receiving usual care at the same time.