Integrating and extending cohort studies: lessons from the eXtending Treatments, Education and Networks in Depression (xTEND) study.

Background: Epidemiologic studies often struggle to adequately represent populations and outcomes of interest. Differences in methodology, data analysis and research questions often mean that reviews and synthesis of the existing literature have significant limitations. The current paper details our experiences in combining individual participant data from two existing cohort studies to address questions about the influence of social factors on health outcomes within a representative sample of urban to remote areas of Australia.

Quality of life impact of cardiovascular and affective conditions among older residents from urban and rural communities.

Background: The demographic, health and contextual factors associated with quality of life impairment are investigated in older persons from New South Wales, Australia. We examine the impact of cardiovascular and affective conditions on impairment and the potential moderating influence of comorbidity and remoteness.

Methods: Data from persons aged 55 and over were drawn from two community cohorts sampling from across urban to very remote areas.

Construct validity of the Assessment of Quality of Life - 6D (AQoL-6D) in community samples.

Background: The Assessment of Quality of Life - 6D scale (AQoL-6D) is a self-report instrument designed to provide a sensitive multidimensional evaluation of health related quality of life. The current paper assesses the construct, concurrent and convergent validity of the AQoL-6D in a combined longitudinal population sample drawn from across urban, regional and remote areas of Australia.

Methods: The AQoL-6D was administered within the Hunter Community Study and the Australian Rural Mental Health Study over time (mean years lag = 3.

Social support and age influence distress outcomes differentially across urban, regional and remote Australia: an exploratory study.

Background: The variation of determinants of mental health with remoteness has rarely been directly examined. The current research aims to examine whether the association of psychosocial factors with psychological distress outcomes varies with increasing remoteness.

Methods: Participants were persons aged 55 and over from two community cohorts sampling from across rural and urban New South Wales (N = 4219; mean age = 69.

Determinants of mental health and well-being within rural and remote communities.

Background: The individual and contextual factors influencing current mental health and well-being within rural communities are poorly understood.

Methods: A stratified random sample of adults was drawn from non-metropolitan regions of NSW, Australia. One-quarter (27.

Does an advanced insulin education programme improve outcomes and health service use for people with Type 2 diabetes? A 5-year follow-up of the Newcastle Empowerment course.

Objective: To show that an advanced diabetes education programme delivers sustained benefits to people with diabetes prescribed insulin and healthcare providers over and above those provided by basic diabetes education.

Methods: An historical cohort study of 68 people with Type 1 and 51 people with Type 2 diabetes on insulin who attended the 4-day Newcastle Empowerment programme in 2001 and 2002 compared with 71 people with Type 1 and 312 people with Type 2 diabetes who attended only the basic 4-day insulin education programme over the same period, followed until 2007. Primary outcome was all hospital admissions and emergency visits; secondary outcomes were the composite of first cardiac event or death and readmission for diabetes complications.