ANZCTR search results

This study aims to determine the lens parameters in orthokeratology lenses that allow manipulation of peripheral refraction in adult myopes. Additionally, relationships between corneal topography and peripheral refraction changes induced by orthokeratology lenses will be investigated.

To assess bacterial contamination of regular lens cases when used in conjunction with investigational or marketed contact lenses on a daily wear schedule.

This proposed study is intended to investigate if the antifungal drug, caspofungin, when applied as an eye drop is able to penetrate into the human eyes. The use of caspofungin as an eye drops in human has never been reported. Caspofungin eye drops are anticipated to safely penetrate into the human eyes when applied as eye drops and to achieve adequate concentrations to treat fungal eye infections.

The aim of this study is to assess if a self-help manual for primary caregivers of family members with first episode psychosis is effective in improving the caregivers' general wellbeing and lowering their distress. The study involves two groups: an 'intervention' group who will study the manual, and a 'control' group who will not study the manual.

Redback spider bites are common in Australia and red back spider envenoming (latrodectism) is the commonest significant envenoming in Australia. Redback spider antivenom (RBS AV) is the most frequently used antivenom in Australia. An estimated 5000 redback spider bites are treated with antivenom each year requiring a median of 2 vials of redback spider antivenom and an emergency department or hospital admission. We estimate this costs between $200,000 and $500,000 annually for antivenom and an equivalent amount in hospital costs. Early adverse reactions occur in approximately 4% of cases (40 to 120 patients annually) causing additional risk to the patient and costs to the health care system. Redback antivenom treatment therefore carries a considerable cost and measureable risk. However, despite the wide use of RBS AV and the clinical impression that it is effective, it has never been tested in a placebo randomized controlled trial. The results from our recent randomised controlled trial of intravenous versus intramuscular administration of redback spider antivenom (RAVE I) raise questions about the effectiveness of the antivenom. It is therefore essential to determine whether RBS AV is effective and justifies the costs and risks associated with its use. We propose to determine the effectiveness of RBS AV in a multicentre randomised placebo-controlled trial.

Recent advances in diagnostic technologies and subsequent physiological research has lead to a number of techniques being widely available for use in the pre-school age group and resulted in the transition of these techniques into clinical practice. The use of these newer respiratory function techniques to assess airway function in pre-school children with recurrent wheeze may have major implications for our understanding of the pathophysiology of asthma.

SEISMIC is a population based incidence study of epilepsy to be conducted in the Sydney South West Area Health Service (Eastern Zone). It is a 3 year cohort study of people newly diagnosed with epilepsy and the associated psychosocial, educational and economic sequelae. Participants are enrolled over 24 months and they, or their carer/proxy/guardian, will be interviewed at three time points: 28 days (Baseline), 4 and 12 months following first diagnosis of epilepsy. The aim is to identify modifiable factor that enhance resilience and reduce vulnerability to the socioeconomic impact of epilepsy in an Australian population.

The study aimed to reduce the development of internalising disorders such as anxiety and depression by providing a brief education program for parents of preschool aged children who are at increased risk for these problems. Children were selected if they were highly shy and inhibited. Parents either received 6, 90 minute sessions providing information about how to reduce inhibition in their child, or received no intervention. It was expected that the brief intervention would result in reduced inhibition in the short term and hence reductions in anxiety and depression in the longer term.

Aim of the study In this study we intend to find whether TEG parameters in patients on therapeutic dosage of LMWH correlated with anti Xa levels and other coagulation parameters. Background Low molecular weight heparin is commonly used in the management of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Currently there is no easy method to monitor the degree of anticoagulation from LMWH. Since LMWH inhibits coagulation factor Xa, measuring the anti-Xa activity is a good way to assess the anticoagulant effects of LMWH, but the results may not be readily available. Other coagulation parameters like the activated partial thromboplastin time [aPTT] may not correlate well with the degree of anticoagulation. The thromboelastography is a near patient test which can be used to define the viscoelastic properties of blood. It also provides information about platelet activation, fibrin formation and clot retraction. As a result TEG has the potential to predict the degree of anticoagulation from LMWH. From the available data, TEG parameters have been compared with the anti-Xa levels when LMWH was given in low doses as prophylaxis for deep vein thrombosis. There is no literature to highlight the usefulness of TEG in patients on therapeutic doses of LMWH for acute coronary syndromes. The purpose of the study is to investigate the correlation between the TEG parameters, anti Xa levels and other coagulation tests in patients on therapeutic dose LMWH. Furthermore, we intend to investigate the effects of renal function and body mass on the current dosing guidelines for LMWH.

There is little scientific evidence to support the usual practice of providing outpatient rehabilitation to patients undergoing total knee replacement surgery (TKR) immediately after discharge from the orthopaedic ward. It is hypothesised that the demonstrated lack of benefit is due to the low exercise intensity tolerated at this time, with patients still recovering from the effects of major orthopaedic surgery. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of a novel rehabilitation strategy, consisting of an initial home exercise programme followed, about six weeks later, by outpatient exercise classes. It is hypothesised that the novel rehabilitation strategy will be more beneficial than the usual practice of providing outpatient rehabilitation immediately following discharge from the orthopaedic ward.