Projects beginning in 2001

Validation of the use of the MRFIT and/or Framingham multivariate risk prediction equations in the Monash Coronary Prevention Model

i. to obtain de-identified unit record data files for all adult participants of the Busselton Study, with information on cardiovascular risk factors at baseline and cardiovascular outcomes
ii. using Busselton data, to create gender-specific multivariate equations for the risk of all-cause and coronary mortality according to age and baseline data on cardiovascular risk factors
iii. to compare the distribution of mortality risks by percentiles of aggregated coronary risk derived from the MRFIT and Framingham equations with that from the Busselton equations

• Dr Danny Liew, Dept of Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine, Monash University Medical School
• Stephen Lim, Dept of Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine, Monash University Medical School
• Professor John McNeil, Dept of Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine, Monash University Medical School
• Dr Theo Vos, Dept of Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine, Monash University Medical School
• Dr Rory Wolfe, Dept of Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine, Monash University Medical School

In progress

The prevalence of Brugada syndrome in a rural Australian community

Initially we propose to review the electrocardiographs undertaken and coded as part of the 1972 Survey of the Busselton Population. The characteristic electrocardiograph manifestations of Brugada syndrome will be sought to provide an estimate of prevalence in a relatively unselected population.
For any identified cases, morbidity and mortality data will be sought from the follow-up database of The Busselton Population Medical Research Foundation (Inc).

• Dr Paul Stobie, Dept of Cardiovascular Medicine, SCGH
• Dr Philip Cooke, Dept of Cardiovascular Medicine, SCGH

Completed

Investigation of an association between complement factor B (`C4Bf') allotypes and body mass in adults utilising body composition data from the Busselton population study

• Dr David Nolan, Dept of Clinical Immunology, RPH
• Dr Simon Mallal, Dept of Clinical Immunology, RPH

In progress

Does obesity explain the rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Australia?

The primary aim of this study is to determine, in a descriptive manner, the contribution that increasing obesity prevalence has made to the increasing diabetes prevalence. Specifically, we want to determine whether or not there has been an increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes once the increased obesity prevalence has been accounted for.

• Dr Jonathan Shaw, International Diabetes Institute, Melbourne
• Professor Paul Zimmet, International Diabetes Institute, Melbourne
• Clin Prof Tim Welborn, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
• Prof Matthew Knuiman, School of Population Health, UWA

Completed

Dunstan DW, Zimmet PZ, Welborn TA, de Courten MP, Cameron AJ, Sicree RA, Dwyer T, Colagiuri S, Jolley D, Knuiman M, Atkins R, Shaw JE. The rising prevalence of diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance: The Australian diabetes, obesity and lifestyle study. Diabetes Care 2002; 25: 829-834. Abstract

Polymorphisms in genes associated with the development of cardiovascular disease

Our aim is to identify genetic polymorphisms as risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Our research plan will use three different study designs:
1) Prospective case cohort study: This study will include 400 cases in the Busselton population who have developed cardiovascular disease over an approximate 20 year period as well as a random sample of the total cohort (called the subcohort). This cohort design uses less people in total than other designs whilst maintaining most of the statistical efficiency.
2) Case control study: The CUPID population (Carotid Ultrasound in Patients with Ischaemic Heart Disease) has been collected by the Heart Research Institute. This is a prospective recruitment of male or female subjects (n= 560) aged 55 years or less admitted to SCGH for a coronary heart disease (CHD) event and who have angiographically proven CHD as ? 50% stenosis in one or more coronary artery. We wish to select age and sex matched controls with no evidence of vascular disease from the Busselton population for this study.
3) Cross-sectional study: In this study we wish to identify genetic polymorphisms associated with known traditional risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease. Such risk factors would be blood pressure, lipid profile (HDL, LDL, TG and total cholesterol) diabetes and history of hypertension and stroke. We require approval for access to all DNA and risk factors measurements from subjects in the 1994 Busselton Survey (n=4,800).

• Dr John Beilby, Dept of Clinical Biochemistry, PathCentre
• A/Prof Joe Hung, Dept of Medicine, UWA
• Dr Caroline Chapman, Dept of Clinical Biochemistry, PathCentre

In progress

Epidemiological study to examine the association between Allergy and Cancer

1) To evaluate the association between allergic disease and any subsequent malignancy in the 1981 Busselton survey cohort.
2) To evaluate the association between allergic disease and any subsequent malignancy for breast, prostate and colorectal cancers in the 1981 Busselton survey cohort.
3) To evaluate the association between allergic diseases and any subsequent hematological malignancy in the 1981 Busselton survey cohort.

• Assoc Prof Lin Fritschi, School of Population Health, UWA
• Dr Alison Talbot-Smith, School of Population Health, UWA
• Prof Matthew Knuiman, School of Population Health, UWA

Completed

Talbot-Smith A, Fritschi L, Divitini ML, Mallon D, Knuiman MW. Allergy, atopy and cancer: A prospective study of the 1981 Busselton cohort. American Journal of Epidemiology 2003; 157(7):606-12. Abstract