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Colorectal cancer population screening programs commonly suffer from poor participation. Therefore it is important to reduce as many barriers as possible. Some screening tests affect participation, this is associated with level of technology. As screening most effective when conducted regularly, it is important to determine the impact of the initial screening experience on participation in further rounds. This study determined the impact of the level of technology of the test used in the first round of offers on participation in a second round where all people were offered the test that elicited the highest participation in the first round (ie the 'preferred' test. In the first round there were 3 groups each offered sceening using a different test. Intervention group 1 used Hemoccult II Sensa, a low technology guaiac based test requiring restricted diet for 6 days, sampling stool by spatula and 6 applications of stool to collection device, Intervention group 2 used FlexSure OBT, a mid level technology immunochemical test without restricted diet, sampling stool by spatula, 3 applications of stool to collection device, Intervention group 3 used InSure OBT, high level technology- immunochemical test, without diet, sampling stool by brush, 2 applications of stool sample. Intervention group 3 (InSure) returned the highest participation and was thus considered the preferred test. All people received Insure in the second round of offers.

Improved participation in screening for bowel cancer is desirable. Large scale screening programs must recruit invitees through comprehensive population registers. Depending on the country and health system these may be primary care practice lists or other registers such as the electoral roll. If primary care patient lists are available, considerable practice time may be required to organise the screening program, alternatively the implicit practice endorsement of screening may increase the participation rate to make that investment worthwhile. As screening is most effective when conducted regularly, it is important to determine if any increase in participation rate due to practice or practitioner endorsement is maintained over several rounds of screening offers. This study aims to follow screening participation over 4 rounds of offers in 4 treatment groups, and to use innovative statistical methods to determine the value of practice involvement in re-sceening participation.

This project aims to investigate the effects of portable oxygen, used during activity, by people who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The MSBase Registry is a longitudinal, strictly observational Multiple Sclerosis database open to all practicing Neurologists worldwide. In collaboration with participating Neurologists, the MSBase Registry has established a unique, web-based platform dedicated to sharing, tracking and evaluating outcomes data in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). In particular, MSBase aims to advance multi-centre, multi-national epidemiological and outcomes research by providing a freely accessible resource to compile, combine, compare and analyse large datasets. Participating Neurologists submit anonymized core clinical information using the freely available iMed software as a standardized data collection instrument. The core data to be collected is termed the minimum dataset, comprising key parameters relating to diagnosis, serial neurological examinations (Kurtzke Functional Score and Expanded Disability Status Score, EDSS), relapse information and treatment exposures. All aspects of patient management are entirely at the discretion of the managing neurologist and his or her patient. Anonymized aggregate data generated from the MSBase Registry will be reported to participating Neurologists on a regular basis. Important findings will be shared with the general neurology community at scientific meetings and through journal publications. The MSBase Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) acts as the custodian of the composite data, while individual datasets at all times remain the property of the participating physician. The MSBase SAB will ensure data integrity and monitor all MSBase activities including core study designs, promotion and implementation, and perform composite data analyses.

The purpose of this project is to see whether nizatidine, a drug commonly used to treat peptic ulcers and reflux disease, may improve the emptying of the stomach in patients who have had an operation for oesophageal cancer. Participation in this project involves taking the trial medication for one week and having a special gastric empyting scan before and after one week of treatment with the drug. The scan involves a small dose of radiation which has been approved by the Department of Human Services, Radiation Safety Approval.