ANZCTR search results

To determine whether patients with a history of gout are meeting nutritional requirements, are aware of dietary risk factors for their condition and whether they have a need or interest in receiving dietary support for their condition.

In this study we will compare the effects of fish oil (n=165) or placebo (n=165) in early infancy (from 0-6 months of age) on the risk of developing allergic sensitisation or allergic disease in early childhood. Both study groups will include children deemed to be at high risk of allergic disease (based on maternal allergy history).

To aim of this study is to investigate the effects of probiotic supplementation for the first 6 months of life in infants at high risk of allergic disease. The study has been designed to determine if this intervention reduces the risk of developing allergic sensitisation (determined by allergy skin testing) and allergic disease (such as food allergy, atopic dermatitis and asthma) in early childhood. The participants and investigators remained blind to the intervention throughout the follow up period.

Dreaming is commonly reported after anaesthesia. There is some evidence that dreaming is more likely to be reported after anaesthesia maintained with propofol than anaesthesia maintained with desflurane. In this study, we will randomise patients having non-cardiac surgery to anaesthesia with propofol or desflurane and will measure the incidence of dreaming. Post-operative observers will be blind to group allocation (propofol or desflurane)

Influenza (the ‘flu’) may cause mild to severe illness, and some people, including older people, are at a higher risk for death and serious complications. Flu is easier to catch where people live in communities like aged-care facilities (ACFs). This trial aims primarily to assess the value of two different policies for control of influenza outbreaks (when several people get infected at the same time) in ACFs using the antiviral drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu). It is licensed for treating and preventing flu. This research will help to find out the benefits of starting the drug treatment early for people who have flu, compared with starting the drug treatment early for people who have flu, and also giving the drug to well people in the aged care facility who have been exposed to the sick people. The study will be carried out for three years (three influenza seasons) commencing in 2006.

The aims of this study are to reduce suicidal behaviour and improve self-esteem amongst a cohort of adolescents identified as being at high-risk of suicidal behaviour, who are referred to ORYGEN Youth Health. We aim to do this by replicating previous intervention studies which have shown that sending a regular postcard to adults at high risk of suicide enquiring about their well being has reduced subsequent suicidal behaviour. We further intend to add individually tailored information regarding sources of help to each postcard, as well as some basic information about self-help strategies aimed at reducing depression and anxiety.The overall hypothesis is that receipt of a regular postcard enquiring about well being and informing the young person about appropriate, previously identified sources of help will reduce suicidal behaviour, over the study period. Specific hypotheses to be examined are that the receipt of a regular postcard will result in: 1) Decreased suicidal behaviour and ideation 2) A reduction in factors associated with suicide such as hopelessness and depression 3) Improved self-esteem and 4) An increase in perceived social support. We further hypothesise that: 5) There will be a positive association between reductions in suicidal behaviour and improved self-esteem and perceived support and 6) There will be a positive association between reduced suicidal behaviour and a reduction in hopelessness and depression.

This trial will test if intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) reduces death and disability in up to 5000 babies with suspected serious infection in the UK, Europe, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand. Newborn babies are deficient in immunoglobulins (physiological deficiency), especially if they are premature. Babies with severe infection after birth carry a high risk of death or life-long disability, even with appropriate antibiotics. IVIG is concentrated from plasma carefully screened blood donors and is one of the safest blood products available. Earlier trials suggest IVIG may reduce death rates in newborn infants, but did not report disability rates in survivors. Participants, Trialists at the coordinating centre, and clinical professionals involved in the care of the child are blinded to the study treatment. Only the pharmacist and lead statistician are aware of the treatment allocation.

The project aims to develop a greater understanding of amphetamine withdrawal and whether medication, such as modafinil, is effective in the management of amphetamine withdrawal in an inpatient setting. Participants will be randomised to a single morning dose of modafinil or matching placebo. Participants will receive medication for seven days (tapering doses from 200mg to 100mg). The two treatment groups will be compared for their symptoms of amphetamine withdrawal, including symptoms of depression and sleep disturbance, neuro-cognitive function, as well as any potential side effects from the medication. Other outcome measures will include retention in treatment and monitoring the rate of relapse to amphetamine use post withdrawal. This information will then inform guidelines for withdrawal management, including psychosocial and medical aspects. The protocol will be distilled for a clinical audience and include principles and practice, practice guidelines and recommendations for implementation

This is a pilot study to look at the feasibility of a target directed flexible exercise program in obese pregnant women.

Breathlessness is a very distressing and difficult symptom commonly experienced towards the end of life. There are published research findings to show that the use of low dose long acting morphine can help the sensation of breathlessness, without side effects such as drowsiness and respiratory depression. There are now even lower doses of sustained release morphine available than when initial studies were done which may offer similar benefits and potentially fewer side effects. Initial studies in this area were short (one week) and long term benefits and side effects have not been well studied. This study will try to determine the optimal dose of morphine for breathlessness, which may be lower or higher than those previously reported in the literature, and if there is long term benefit. This will be done through the use of a 2 stage study. In stage 1, consenting participants will start on a small dose of morphine for one week, and then slowly increase the dose if there has been no benefit over a period of up to 3 weeks according to the participant reports of breathlessness and side effects. Participants will be asked to complete a simple twice daily diary throughout stage one, and will be monitored by visits to their home weekly and telephone calls between visits by the study nurse. When participants have been on a dose of morphine for one week which provides relief from breathlessness, without side effects, they will be entered into the second stage of the study. The second stage will ask participants to continue on the morphine dose determined in stage one long term to determine if that dose continues to provide benefit over a prolonged period. Participants will be monitored via regular telephone calls for the duration of the study or until the participant withdraws. They will also be asked to maintain a simple weekly diary for this time to provide ongoing information about their response to the morphine and any side effects.