ANZCTR search results

This is a non-randomized cohort study. The purpose of this trial is to compare the side effect profile and their effects on patients treated with 3 different techniques of delivery of curative radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer.We will collect a series of patient-based urinary, bowel, and sexual function scores using validated assessment tools before treatment, 6 weeks and then at intervals after treatment and correlate the results of that with objective, quantitative measurement of patients’ bladder and bowel function using physiologic laboratory tools. This will help us to determine comparative functional effects and understand whether there is a mechanical / physiological explanation for patients’ side effects.

This is a prospective randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial comparing vaginal prostaglandins E2 gel with an oral synthetic prostaglandin E2 analogue (misoprostol) in the induction of labour at term. Both agents are thought to be equally effective in inducing labour. The main outcomes assessed in this study will be the rate of caesarean section, the number of women who remain undelivered after 24 hours, and uterine hyperstimulation with associated changes in the fetal heart rate. Women, caregivers and outcome assessors (MILO trial) are blinded. For the timing of induction component, it is not possible for women or caregivers to be blinded.

Many small babies <30 weeks gestational age have a very immature respiratory system and require respiratory support for a limited period of time until they mature and can breath by themselves. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is one such method by which support can be given to these immature babies to allow them to breath without being put on a ventilator or breathing machine. When these babies have matured a little the CPAP is weaned in order to allow the babies to breath without support. This trial will look at 3 methods of weaning CPAP to see which method is most efficient in allowing the babies to breath on their own. The trial has started at Westmead Hospital and we hope to include other Hospitals to increase our numbers in the trial.

To study the pharmacokinetics of DG17 absorption. DG17 is a novel protease inhibitor for the treatment of HIV.

The study hypothesis is that inhibition of cholesterol absorption complements the effects of weight loss on lipid and lipoprotein transport in obese subjects. Specifically , the study aims to elucidate the mechanisms of action of a new therapeutic regimen (weight loss plus ezetimibe) for regulating lipid and lipoprotein transport in these subjects.

The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of two commonly used clinical exercise interventions for patients with chronic low pain; Swiss ball exercise and floor-based exercise. We hypothesise that there will be no difference between the two exercise programs in terms of improving trunk muscle endurance and lumbopelvic posture.

This study is being conducted in order to see if JetSkins™ reduce ankle swelling associated with flying. There have been other studies on garments very similar to JetSkins™ (compression garments) that show you can significantly reduce swelling in your ankles if you wear these garments during long haul flights (over 5 hours).

Hypothesis: Zinc deficiency potentiates airway inflammation in asthma. This study is to determine if oral zinc supplementation will improve asthma control to enable a reduction in the maintenance dose of inhaled steroids. Blinding is for subjects & assessors.

Patients undergoing major abdominal surgery require intensive postoperative pain relief for many days. Good pain relief improves recovery and poor pain relief hinders recovery. The conventional choices of pain relief are powerful intravenous drugs or an epidural infusion of local anaesthetic with some morphine like drug (opioid) added. Despite extensive experience with these two techniques it remain unclear in which patients the epidural technique is indicated. In Southern Health and selected other hospitals in Australia a third technique has been in use for 15 years – a continous spinal infusion of pain relieving drugs using a spinal catheter (the ‘intrathecal technique’) . A recent quality assurance audit at Monash medical centre showed that the intrathecal technique was superior to the other two techniques. Patients receiving this had better pain relief than alternative techniques. Unfortunately this work was an unblinded audit comparing 3 groups of patients among whom major differences existed in surgical length, type of surgery and age. This limits what can be concluded from the results. In the proposed project the intention is to recruit patients aged over 50 that are scheduled for gut surgery into a study comparing epidural and intrathecal analgesia postoperatively. The aim is to improve pain relief and quality of recovery after surgery. Other factors that will be studied include length of stay, need for additional pain relieving drugs and time till oral intake. The participants, assessor and data analyst will be blinded to the treatment groups. The hospital staff will not be blinded.

The aim of this study is to see if a new dosing regimen of enoxaparin (an anticoagulant used in the treatment of heart attacks, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) if safer than the current method of dosing (designed by the drug company). Patients will agree on being part of the study and then treated using one of the two methods (they will be unaware which group they will be in). The number of bleeding events and large bruises will be recorded for every patient. The two methods of dosing can then be compared at the end of the study to see which one has caused the least bleeding/bruising events). It is hope that the new dosing method will result in less events.