Clostridium difficile Infections amongst Patients with Haematological Malignancies: A Data Linkage Study.

Objectives: Identify risk factors for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and assess CDI outcomes among Australian patients with a haematological malignancy.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study involving all patients admitted to hospitals in Western Australia with a haematological malignancy from July 2011 to June 2012. Hospital admission data were linked with all hospital investigated CDI case data.

A randomised controlled trial comparing the effects of a 12-week supervised exercise versus usual care on outcomes in haematological cancer patients.

Purpose: Following treatment, haematological cancer (HEM) patients exhibit significant physical deconditioning and psychological distress. Exercise has been shown as a clinically effective and safe intervention for cancer patients, with the potential to reverse the deleterious effects following treatment. Our aim was to investigate the efficacy of a 12-week exercise rehabilitation on cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and associated outcomes in HEM patients post-treatment.

Randomized Controlled Trial of Shared Care for Patients With Cancer Involving General Practitioners and Cancer Specialists.

Purpose: We aimed to determine whether a shared care model (SCM) during chemotherapy treatment improved emotional well-being, empowerment, and prevalence of symptoms for people being treated for cancer.

Methods: People receiving chemotherapy for hematologic, breast, ovarian, or colorectal malignancies at two cancer centers were randomly assigned to receive SCM or standard care. The SCM involved a patient-held record, a project coordinator, routine contact between the patient and general practitioner/primary care physician, and primary care physician education.

Positive patient experiences in an Australian integrative oncology centre.

Background: The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of cancer patients' utilising complementary and integrative therapies (CIT) within integrative oncology centres across Western Australia.

Methods: Across four locations 135 patients accessed CIT services whilst undergoing outpatient medical treatment for cancer. Of the 135 patients, 66 (61±12 y; female n=45; male n=21) agreed to complete a personal accounts questionnaire consisting of open-ended questions designed to explore patients' perceptions of CIT.

An oasis in the hospital: the perceived benefits of a cancer support center in a hospital setting offering complementary therapies.

Aims: The aim of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of persons attending a cancer support center, providing emotional support to cancer patients through self-selected complementary therapies offered free of charge through qualified volunteer therapists. A grounded theory methodology was used. Sources of data were 16 semistructured interviews with persons attending the center.

Lymphoid neoplasm incidence by WHO subtype in Australia 1982-2006.

There are limited data characterizing the subtype-specific incidence of lymphoid neoplasms in the World Health Organization (WHO) Classification era. Data were obtained on all incident lymphoid neoplasms registered in Australia during 1982-2006. Subtypes were grouped using the InterLymph nested hierarchical classification, based on the 2008 WHO Classification.

Characteristics and quality of life of patients presenting to cancer support centres: patient rated outcomes and use of complementary therapies.

Background: In order to effectively target and provide individualised patient support strategies it is crucial to have a comprehensive picture of those presenting for services. The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics and patient rated outcomes of individuals presenting to SolarisCare cancer support centres and their choices regarding complementary and integrated therapies (CIT).

Methods: A cohort with a current or previous cancer diagnosis aged 18 - 87 years presenting to a SolarisCare centre during a 5-day period completed a questionnaire.

Latitude gradients for lymphoid neoplasm subtypes in Australia support an association with ultraviolet radiation exposure.

Given the uncertainty surrounding solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure and risk of lymphoid neoplasms, we performed an ecological analysis of national Australian data for incident cases diagnosed between 2002 and 2006. Subtype-specific incidence was examined by latitude band (<29°S, 29-36°S, ≥37°S), a proxy for ambient UVR exposure, using multiple Poisson regression, adjusted for sex, age-group and calendar year. Incidence increased with distance from the equator for several mature B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas, including diffuse large B-cell [incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.

Test-retest reliability of the aerobic power index submaximal exercise test in cancer patients.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability of the Aerobic Power Index (API) submaximal cardiorespiratory exercise test, as well as associated variables of oxygen uptake (ml·kg(-1)·min(-1)) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) in cancer patients who are generally unable to complete maximal or lengthy aerobic fitness tests. Twenty male and female participants (11 male; 9 female) aged between 18 and 70 y (mean = 53.28 ± 11.

Significant association between thyroid hormones and erythrocyte indices in euthyroid subjects.

Objective: Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are each associated with anaemia, but relationships between thyroid function and erythrocyte indices in euthyroid subjects have not been examined. The aim of this study was to examine these relationships in a community-based cohort.

Design, Subjects And Measurements: Linear regression models with free T4, free T3 and TSH as predictors of erythrocyte indices and serum iron parameters were fitted to data from a cohort of 1179 participants in the 1994 Busselton health study and a subset of 1011 euthyroid participants.

Non-cancer mortality among people diagnosed with lymphohaematopoietic neoplasm in Australia.

Objectives: There is some evidence that people diagnosed with cancer have increased risks of dying from other diseases. This may particularly be so for cancers such as the lymphohaematopoietic neoplasms (LHN) which are now managed more as chronic diseases than acute events.

Methods: The non-cancer mortality of people diagnosed with LHN in Australia between 1982 and 2006 was compared to the mortality of the age- and sex-matched Australian population.

Chronic myeloid leukaemia: the evolution of gene-targeted therapy.

Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) was the first human cancer linked to an acquired chromosomal abnormality, subsequently shown to be a reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22. The resulting fusion gene product, BCR-ABL, was shown to be the causative agent of the disease. CML has an incidence of around 1-2 cases per 100,000; in Australia, there are probably more than 200 new cases per year and more than 1300 prevalent cases.

Plasma glutamine responses to high-intensity exercise before and after endurance training.

Glutamine responses to strenuous interval exercise were examined before and after 6 weeks of endurance training. Glutamine measures were obtained before and after the interval exercise sessions and training in untrained males assigned to training (T; n = 10) or control (C; n = 10) groups. Before training, C and T group glutamine progressively decreased (p < 0.