ANZCTR search results

It is well established that obesity and elevated blood pressure can lead to impaired vascular function. However, it is less clear how impaired blood vessel function affects cardiovascular and, consequently, blood pressure responses during exercise. Exaggerated blood pressure responses to exercise can be an early risk factor for the development of future hypertension. The aim of this study is to establish a dose/response relationship for the effect of resveratrol on endothelial vasodilator function as measured by flow mediated dilation (FMD) and blood pressure (BP), both at rest and during exercise, in volunteers who are overweight/obese with elevated BP. The results of this study will inform the design of future trials which will explore the effect of combinations of resveratrol and other vasoactive nutrients on cardiovascular and mental health.

This study compares two methods of skin closure following the reversal of ileostomy, purse string and linear closure. The study seeks to determine the incidence of surgical site infection following surgery when these two techniques are used. There is a high incidence of surgical site infection following reversal of ileostomy, and so determining if the use of different skin closure technique can reduce this incidence is important.

This study compares two methods of retracting the sides of the surgical incision to expose the operation field in open elective colorectal resection surgery, using a "wound protector" versus "traditional retraction techniques". The study seeks to determine the incidence of surgical site infection following surgery when each of these techniques is used. There is a high incidence of surgical site infection following colorectal surgery, and so determining if the use of different retraction techniques can reduce this incidence is important.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients experience skeletal muscle wasting and this leads to decreased functional capacity and quality of life. A lifestyle intervention consisting of exercise and dietary advice is known to slow muscle wasting in older individuals however the effects in CKD patients is unknown. Furthermore, the mechanisms underlying these potential effects are not well understood. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of an 8 week lifestyle intervention containing supervised exercise and dietary advice will effect markers of skeletal muscle structure and function in patients with chronic kidney disease. Patients will be recruited as part of the Landmark III study that is currently underway at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane Australia. Following radomisation in to the larger study patients will be approached to participate in this sub study. 15 patients from each group will be recruited and undergo a muscle biopsy following baseline testing and then 12 weeks later. Muscle samples will be taken from the vastus lateralis muscle using the Bergstrom method and will be performed by a qualified medical practitioner. Muscle tissue samples will be stored in standard conditions, and analysis will be undertaken on completion of the sub study.

There are 283 new outpatients each month registered to cancer care services at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH). The first visit of oncology patients and families to an outpatient cancer centre often causes intense anxiety and negative emotions. Recent nursing initiatives in cancer care services include a multidisciplinary orientation program for the head and neck cancer patients. This multidisciplinary orientation program will be extended to all newly registered cancer patients in 2009. This pilot study will evaluate the effects of the multi-disciplinary orientation program on the levels of self-efficacy and anxiety of newly registered cancer patients at the RBWH.

This study is exploratory in focus, and aims to (1) identify the concerns of patients with severe COPD and their families including physical, emotional and social, (2) obtain insights into bereaved families’ experiences of caring for someone with COPD and their end of life care, (3) explore the staff perceptions of the palliative care needs of patients (and their families) with severe COPD, and (4) identify points when information about illness course, prognosis and goals of care are perceived as critical by patients, families, bereaved families and staff. Semi-structured in-depth interviews will take place with patients who have COPD, with family members and with bereaved family members. Focus groups will be held with health care professionals. Data will be analysed using a phenomenological approach, giving rise to a thematic analysis, and the identification of general themes and theme-clusters. It is anticipated that a synthesis of results from this and related quantitative investigations into the end of life care needs of patients with COPD will inform the development of a model of palliative care that may best serve this population.

This study hopes to show that when tobramycin is given via inhalation in those patients with cystic fibrosis who are sick enough to need intravenous (into a vein) antibiotics, the levels in the lung are adequate for effective bacteria killing and that they recover from the acute infection. The study will be undertaken in all eligible patients who are admitted to the hospital for treatment of an exacerbation of their lung infection.

The study will evaluate how effective a herbal formulation is in decreasing psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression. The study will run for 12 weeks in total, and over that time participants will be asked to complete one questionnaire every 4 weeks to evaluate their symptoms of depression and anxiety. Half the women in the study will take 2 tablets daily of the study product while the other half will take 2 placebo tablets. A placebo is a dummy treatment, which looks and tastes like the real medication, but contains no active ingredient.

The purpose is to perform tonometry in HIV-infected adults before and after switching their HIV treatment from Kivexa to Truvada (or from Abacavir to Tenofovir). Hypothesis: that markers of cardiovascular function (as measured by applanation tonometry) will improve in patients switching from ABC-3TC to TDF-FTC.

Aim: A study investigating the bio-efficiency of de-alcoholised red and white wine as an antioxidant in humans using both red and white wine formulas. The study will be split into two 3 week blocks. Each participant will be involved for only 3 consecutive weeks. Recruitment: 8 healthy females are required. Study design: Participants will fast for 10 hours overnight (water allowed) prior to each study day. During the 24 hours prior to each visit, participants will be asked to refrain from consuming foods/drinks that are rich in polyphenolic compounds (a list will be provided to them). In the first week, participants will be randomised to one of 3 treatments. In the second week, participants will be randomised to one of the remaining 2 treatments and in the third week, participants will cross over to the last treatment. Drinks will be blinded to minimise any impact on the outcomes of the research.