Article Types
Research
Birthweight and fasting glucose and insulin levels: results from the Aboriginal Birth Cohort Study
Objective: To examine the relationships between birthweight, current size, and fasting glucose and fasting insulin levels in Aboriginal adolescents.Design, participants and setting: Longitudinal prospective study of a Northern Territory Aboriginal birth cohort of 686 Aboriginal babies born at the Royal Darwin Hospital between January 1987 and March 1990, and followed up between December 2006 and January 2008 in over 40 NT locations.Main outcome measures: ...
Susan M Sayers FAAP, FRACP, PhD · Susan A Mott BSc, RN, MPH · Kay D Mann MMathStat · Mark S Pearce BSc, MSc, PhD · Gurmeet R Singh PhD, MD, FRACP
A description of human hydatid disease in Tasmania in the post-eradication era
Objective: To describe human hydatid disease in Tasmania since 1996, the year that the state was declared provisionally hydatid-free.Design, setting and participants: Individuals with a new diagnosis or history of hydatid disease between January 1996 and July 2012 were identified through a number of sources including public health notifications, discharge coding from Tasmanian public hospitals, and the Royal Hobart Hospital pathology laboratory information ...
Jennifer A O’Hern MPHTM, MB BS, BMedSci · Louise Cooley MB BS, FRACP, FRCPA
Everolimus treatment of abdominal lymphangioleiomyoma in five women with sporadic lymphangioleiomyomatosis
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare disease disrupting cellular proliferation and growth. This open-label study examined the efficacy of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor everolimus on lymphatic abnormalities in LAM. The five patients experienced significant shrinkage or complete resolution of their lymphangioleiomyomas during treatment.
Anna M Mohammadieh MB BS · Simon D Bowler MB BS, FRACP · Elizabeth J Silverstone MB, MRCP, FRANZCR · Allan R Glanville MB BS, MD, FRACP · Deborah H Yates MB BChir, MD, FRCP
Urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s exposure to stressful events: a cross-sectional study
This study attempts to determine the frequency and types of stressful events experienced by urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, and to explore the relationship between these experiences and the children’s physical health and parental concerns about their behaviour and learning ability.
Deborah A Askew PhD, MHlthSci, GradDipNutr · Philip J Schluter BSc(Hons), MSc, PhD · Geoffrey K P Spurling MB BS, FRACGP, MPH · Chelsea J R Bond BAppSci(Hons), PhD · Alex D H Brown PhD, FRACP
Health outcomes of a subsidised fruit and vegetable program for Aboriginal children in northern New South Wales
This before-and-after study aimed to measure the short-term health value of promoting healthy eating by regularly supplying fresh produce to disadvantaged families. Episodes of illness and common clinical conditions, prescription of antibiotics and the prevalence of anaemia and iron deficiency were measured as indicators of the short-term health effects of having healthy food provided.
Andrew P Black MB BS(Hons), PhD, FAFPHM · Hassan Vally BSc(Hons), PhD, MAppEpi · Peter S Morris MB BS, PhD, FRACP · Mark Daniel BSc, MSc, PhD · Adrian J Esterman BSc(Hons), MSc, PhD · Fiona E Smith BSc, MNutrDiet, APD · Kerin O’Dea BSc, PhD
Impact of swimming on chronic suppurative otitis media in Aboriginal children: a randomised controlled trial
Children in two remote Northern Territory Aboriginal communities were studied to measure the impact of four weeks of daily swimming on rates of ear discharge with a tympanic membrane penetration and on the microbiology of the nasopharynx and middle ear.
Anna T N Stephen MPH · Amanda J Leach BAgSc(Hons), MAgSc, PhD · Peter S Morris MB BS, PhD, FRACP
Quantifying the proportion of general practice and low-acuity patients in the emergency department
Three of the four methods used to calculate general practice-type patient attendances at EDs estimate that these patients account for 10%–12% of attendances and less than 5% of the total length of stay in the EDs of Perth’s major hospitals. The fourth method, used by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, estimates these attendances at about 25%, raising the question of whether it is an overestimate.
Yusuf Nagree MB BS, FACEM, MBA(E) · Vanessa J Camarda · Daniel M Fatovich MB BS, FACEM, PhD · Peter A Cameron MB BS, MD, FACEM · Ian Dey MB BS, FACEM · Andrew D Gosbell PhD · Sally M McCarthy MB BS, FACEM, MBA · David Mountain MB BS, FACEM
Publicly funded homebirth in Australia: a review of maternal and neonatal outcomes over 6 years
A retrospective analysis of the outcomes for women who planned a homebirth and their babies provides the first national evaluation of publicly funded homebirth in Australia.
on behalf of the Birthplace in Australia Study and the National Publicly-funded Homebirth Consortium
Perceptions of precautionary labelling among parents of children with food allergy and anaphylaxis
A study of the behaviour and perceptions of parents of food-allergic children finds that many parents are complacent about precautionary labelling on packaged foods, even if their children have a history of anaphylaxis.
Giovanni A Zurzolo BBioMedSc(Hon) · Jenifer J Koplin PhD · Michael L Mathai PhD · Mimi K L Tang PhD, FRACP · Katrina J Allen PhD, FRACP
Sevenfold rise in likelihood of pertussis test requests in a stable set of Australian general practice encounters, 2000–2011
A study of disease notifications in general practice seeks to answer the question of whether increases in pertussis notifications in Australia since 2008 were due to a true increase in the disease or an increase in testing.
Marlena C Kaczmarek BSc, MPH · Lisa Valenti BEc, MMedStat · Heath A Kelly BSc, MB BS, MPH · Robert S Ware BSc(Hons), PhD · Helena C Britt BA, PhD · Stephen B Lambert MAppEpid, FAFPHM, PhD
Patterns of care for men diagnosed with prostate cancer in Victoria from 2008 to 2011
This analysis of Victorian prostate cancer registry data shows that, since 1993, there has been considerable “stage migration” towards earlier diagnosis. The findings also reveal that there has been a substantial increase in the proportion of men receiving treatment with curative intent.
Sue M Evans MClinEpi, PhD · Jeremy L Millar MB ChB, FRANZCR, FAChPM · Ian D Davis MB BS, PhD, FRACP · Declan G Murphy MB, FRACS, FRCS Urol · Damien M Bolton MD, FRACS, FRCS · Graham G Giles BSc, MSc, PhD · Mark Frydenberg MB BS, FRACS · Nick Andrianopoulos MB BS, MBiostat · Julie M Wood BSc · Albert G Frauman FRACP, FACP, FACCP · Anthony J Costello MB BS, FRACS, MD · John J McNeil FRACP, PhD, FAFPHM
Risk assessment to guide prostate cancer screening decisions: a cost-effectiveness analysis
Objectives: To apply the most recent evidence from randomised trials of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening and explore the potential value of risk assessments to guide the use of PSA screening in practice.Design: A decision model that incorporated a Markov process was developed in 2012 to estimate the net benefit and cost of PSA screening versus no screening as a function of baseline ...
Andrew J Martin PhD · Sarah J Lord MB BS, MS(Epi) · Hannah E Verry BEcon · Martin R Stockler MB BS, MSc, FRACP · Jon D Emery MB BCh, MA, DPhil
Peripheral intravenous catheter-associated Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia: more than 5 years of prospective data from two tertiary health services
Incident cases of S. aureus bacteraemia occurring where intravenous catheters were inserted in wards and in emergency departments were investigated. The researchers suggest that timely removal is important for reducing risk of infection, particularly when the catheters are inserted under suboptimal circumstances.
Rhonda L Stuart MB BS, PhD, FRACP · Donna R M Cameron CertICS, BN, BAppSc · Carmel Scott RN Div 1, CICP · Despina Kotsanas BSc(Hons), MClinEpi · M Lindsay Grayson MB BS, MD, FRACP · Tony M Korman MB BS, FRACP, FRCPA · Elizabeth E Gillespie BN, MPubHealth · Paul D R Johnson MB BS, PhD, FRACP
Human papillomavirus vaccine in boys: background rates of potential adverse events
With human papillomavirus vaccination for boys now on Australia’s National Immunisation Schedule, this study determined background rates of potential adverse events, assuming temporal association with vaccination but no other association. The findings will help to determine whether adverse event reports represent real safety flags that require urgent investigation.
Hazel J Clothier FIBMS, MSc, MAppEpid · Katherine J Lee BSc, MSc, PhD · Vijaya Sundararajan MD, MPH · Jim P Buttery FRACP, MD, MSc · Nigel W Crawford BM BS, MPH, PhD
Trends in pre-existing mental health disorders among parents of infants born in Western Australia from 1990 to 2005
A data-linkage study reveals that, between 1990 and 2005, the prevalence of parents with mental health disorders increased in Western Australia. While factors such as broader service availability may have contributed to this finding, the data highlight high-risk groups that should be a focus for intervention and prevention.
Melissa O’Donnell PhD, MPysch, GradDipEd · Denise Anderson BSc · Vera A Morgan PhD, MSocSc, BA · Natasha Nassar PhD, MPH, BEc · Helen M Leonard MB ChB, MPH · Fiona J Stanley MD, MSc, FAFPHM
Socioeconomic area disparities in tobacco retail outlet density: a Western Australian analysis
Consistent with studies from the United States, this study provides the first strong Australian evidence that areas of low socioeconomic status have a higher density of tobacco retail outlets. The findings have broad public health implications and raise the question of whether we should move to regulate the number of outlets licensed to sell tobacco products.
Lisa J Wood BCom, GradDipHlthProm, PhD, · Gavin Pereira PhD · Nick Middleton BSc(Hons) · Sarah Foster BSc, MPH, PhD
Improved iodine status in Tasmanian schoolchildren after fortification of bread: a recipe for national success
A cross-sectional survey of Tasmanian students aged 8–13 years finds that mandatory iodine fortification of bread appears to have achieved the goal of significantly improving iodine status in this population. However, further research is needed to assess the effects of mandatory fortification in pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Kate M DePaoli BSc(Hons)(Diet) · Judy A Seal BAppSci, GradDipDiet, MPH · John R Burgess FRACP, MD, PhD · Roscoe Taylor MB BS, FAFPHM, GradDipEpid
Supply and demand mismatch for flexible (part-time) surgical training in Australasia
A survey of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons trainees suggests that although many trainees are interested in pursuing part-time surgical training, very few have obtained accredited positions to do so. In a related commentary, the RACS censor-in-chief acknowledges the desire of trainees for flexible training, and describes what the College is doing to help meet this need.
Rachel E McDonald BSc · Amy E Jeeves MB BS, BMedSci(Hons), FRACS(Plast) · Carolyn E Vasey MB BS, BMedSci · Deborah M Wright BMedSc, MB ChB · Gregory O’Grady BHB, MB ChB, PhD
Flexible surgical training in Australasia
Establishing part-time surgical training posts may be difficult, but evidence suggests it is possible and increasingly necessaryThe study by McDonald and colleagues confirms previous reports in Australia and elsewhere that there is a significant difference between the number of trainees who are undertaking some of their surgical training part-time and those who would be interested in doing so.1 It cannot be denied that doctors entering a ...
Simon A Williams MB BS, FRACS, FAOrthA
Frequency of sunburn in Queensland adults: still a burning issue
Objective: To assess the current frequency of sunburn, a preventable risk factor for skin cancer, among Queensland adults.Design and setting: Cross-sectional population-based surveys of 16 473 residents aged ≥ 18 years across Queensland in 2009 and 2010.Main outcome measures: Proportion of the adult population reporting sunburn (skin reddening lasting 12 hours or more) during the previous weekend, by age, sex and other risk factors.Results: ...
Adèle C Green MB BS, PhD, FAAPHM · Louise Marquart BSc, BEcon, BAppSc(Hons) · Susan L Clemens BA, MPH · Catherine M Harper BSc, MPH · Peter K O’Rourke BSc(Hons), BA(Hons), PhD
Risk factors for recurrent Mycobacterium ulcerans disease after exclusive surgical treatment in an Australian cohort
A 14-year study of patients with M. ulcerans disease treated with surgery alone in a Victorian hospital found that the disease recurred in about a third of patients, with recurrence most often associated with immunosuppression or positive histological margins on excised lesions.
Daniel P O’Brien MB BS, FRACP · Aaron Walton MD, FRACP · Andrew J Hughes MB BS, FRACP · N Deborah Friedman MB BS, FRACP, MD · Anthony McDonald MB BS, FRACS · Peter Callan MB BS, FRACS · Richard Rhadon MB BS, FRACS · Ian Holten MB BS, FRACS · Eugene Athan MB BS, FRACP, MPH
Increasing incidence of hospitalisation for sport-related concussion in Victoria, Australia
This study suggests that recent media reports and public concern about concussion sustained during sport are valid, as the frequency of hospitalisation for concussed players in Victoria increased significantly between 2002–03 and 2010–11, with substantial associated economic costs.
Caroline F Finch BSc(Hons), MSc, PhD, · Angela J Clapperton M(Counsel), GradDipEdPsych, BSc(Behav) · Paul McCrory MB BS, PhD, FRACP
Risk factors for erectile dysfunction in a cohort of 108 477 Australian men
Data from the 45 and Up Study identify a range of modifiable risk factors for erectile dysfunction, suggesting that attention to lifestyle factors could help prevent this common problem
Marianne F Weber BA(Hons), PhD · David P Smith BA, MPH, PhD · Dianne L O'Connell BMaths(Hons), PhD · Manish I Patel MB BS, PhD, FRACS · Paul L de Souza MB BS, PhD, FRACP · Freddy Sitas DPhil · Emily Banks MB BS, PhD, FAFPHM
Hospital-acquired influenza in an Australian sentinel surveillance system
Although only a small proportion of cases of influenza in hospitalised patients in 2010–2011 were nosocomial, the outcomes could be severe. All nosocomial cases occurred in patients with chronic comorbidities for whom influenza vaccination is recommended, but two-thirds of patients had not been vaccinated.
on behalf of the FluCAN investigators
Uptake of influenza vaccine by pregnant women: a cross-sectional survey
A NSW study found low rates of self-reported influenza vaccine uptake in pregnant women. Women who had received a recommendation to have the vaccine were 20 times more likely to have been vaccinated, but less than half recalled receiving such a recommendation. Most of the women who expressed safety concerns about the vaccine indicated they would have the vaccine if their doctor recommended it.
Kerrie E Wiley MScMed(ClinEpid) · Peter D Massey DrPH, GCPH, RN · Spring C Cooper BS, PhD · Nicholas J Wood MB BS, FRACP, PhD · Jane Ho BMed, FRACP, MPH · Helen E Quinn BSc(Hons), MAppEpid, PhD · Julie Leask PhD, MPH