ANZCTR search results

This study aims to demonstrate that, in the long term, a hypocaloric diet supplemented with long chain polyunsaturated fat (LC PUFA) will be more beneficial for weight loss than a control hypocaloric diet for overweight individuals. Outcomes will be compared in those receiving general hypocaloric dietary advice with those receiving the same advice but inclusive of 180g fish/week and LC PUFA (fish oil) supplements. We hypothesise that the intervention will produce positive outcomes for cardiovascular disease risk factors Potential mechanisms for the effect of the diet will be investigated

The primary aim of this study is to evaluate whether azithromycin compared with no treatment results in a reduction in the proportion of children with signs of persistent disease 14 days after starting treatment.

Th eprimary purpose of this study is the examine the effect of statin medication on skeletal muscle metabolism at rest and during and after acute exercise. We hypothesise that high dose statin ingestion will lead to reductions in mitochondrial function and/or number and thus altering muscle metabolism.

The study aims to determine the effect of a high-fibre processed wheat bran and fruit dietary supplement on bowel-movement frequency and suppository use in aged residents with chronic idiopathic constipation.

In Australia each year ten million intravenous (IV) drips are inserted in patients’ arms or in the backs of their hands to give fluid and medications. Many drips are routinely replaced every few days in the hope that this reduces infection, however preliminary research suggests it would be better and more cost effective to leave them alone. That would save patients the pain of another needle as well as interruption to treatment. It would save doctors and nurses time, and reduce waste from plastic disposables. The research will provide the evidence to know one way or the other whether IV drips should be routinely changed or left alone.

Patients with critical lower-limb ischaemia admitted to RGH for a bypass graft will be invited to participate in a study investigating the effect of a diet that is enriched with arginine on the time taken for the surgical wound to heal. Participants will be allocated at random to receive either a standard hospital diet with 2 Arginine-enriched supplements or a standard hospital diet with 2 standard nutritional supplements, that are equal in energy, protein, vitamins and minerals. In addition to the time taken for the wound to heal, participants will also have their nutritional health measured via body weight, dietary intake and arm muscle stores. Quality of life will also be measured.

Manual hyperinflation is a physiotherapy treatment technique where patients with a breathing tube for artificial (mechanical) ventilation are given a deep breath by squeezing a small bag with an air/oxygen mix. The aim of this study is to investigate whether how physiotherapists perform this technique affects the amount of mucus (phlegm) cleared from the lungs.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common and treatable condition with significant consequences in terms of morbidity as well as mortality. Currently diagnosed with an in-laboratory polysomnogram (PSG) in the context of specialist consultation, this pathway is both labour- and resource-intensive. The burden of undiagnosed and untreated disease imposes a great economic cost to the community in terms of injuries, lost productivity and associated medical conditions. We propose to test the utility of a nasal-flow based diagnostic device, anatomical features from analysis of photographic images of the head and neck, as well as clinical information from questionnaires and biometrics, in General Practice. Subjects presenting to the primary care practitioner (PCP) in metropolitan and regional areas with suspected OSA will undergo a clinical evaluation, answer questionnaires, have a photograph taken of their face and profile and be tested for 3 nights at home on a portable nasal flow monitor. The reference standard will be an in-laboratory polysomnogram. A diagnostic algorithm will be developed and validated, combining the factors giving the best prediction of OSA.

Obesity in adolescents is a major public health problem in Australia and the prevalence is increasing. Along with the rise in prevalence of obesity there has been a dramatic increase in the number of adolescents with insulin resistance and/or pre-diabetes. It is essential that insulin resistance/pre-diabetes in adolescents be targeted for early intervention. Unmanaged it is likely to progress to type 2 diabetes and early cardiovascular disease. Development of type 2 diabetes in adolescence is of particular concern as complications are common and appear early in the disease. However, there is only limited evidence to guide management of clinical insulin resistance in young people. The aim of this study is to establish an evidence based management plan for these adolescents by undertaking a randomised control trial designed to examine the role of dietary protein in improving insulin sensitivity and metabolic profile.

This study has been developed to assess the impact of a short (once only) education program for patients admitted to an acute hospital because of coronary artery disease. We are investigating whether early education about the importance of exercise and how to safely begin exercise after a 'heart event' will improve physical status, quality of life and confidence in completing physical activity in the early stages after acute hospitalisation. We are also investigating whether people participating in this program will be more likely to engage in cardiac rehabilitation after hospital discharge - a program that has been shown to improve function, quality of life and mortality in people with coronary artery disease.