What is Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)? Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects the digestive system, causing symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhoea, or constipation. The exact cause of IBS is not clear, but it may be triggered by factors such as diet, stress, infection, or medicines. IBS does not cause lasting damage to the intestines or increase the risk of bowel cancer, but it can affect the quality of life and mental health of people who have it.   Some of the possible complications of IBS include: Poor nutrition and weight loss due to foo ..read more

AusTrials is pleased to have been involved in conducting the ARISE-HF Phase 3 trial which has since announced encouraging results.   Applied Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of novel drug candidates against validated molecular targets in indications of high unmet medical need, has announced the topline results of the ARISE-HF Phase 3 trial of AT-001 (caficrestat) in patients with Diabetic Cardiomyopathy (DbCM) at high risk of progression to overt heart failure. The primary endpoint of the study was stabilization or improvement in cardiac funct ..read more

AusTrials will be having a well-deserved break from the 23rd December 2023 returning on 2nd January 2024. If you are a participant with urgent enquiries, please refer to the number on your emergency contact card or call 1300 190 841 and leave a message.   ..read more

With the development of new sites across Australia, AusTrials is pleased to release an updated site capabilities document. This provides further information on AusTrials and covers important information on the facilities and capabilities of all our Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne sites. Our new site capabilities document can be found here.   ..read more

Indigenous peoples in high income countries are disproportionately affected by Type 2 Diabetes. Socioeconomic disadvantages and inadequate access to appropriate healthcare are important contributors. This systematic review, co-authored by Associate Professor Roy Rasalam (Principal Investigator at AusTrials Sunshine in Melbourne), investigates effective designs of primary care management of Type 2 Diabetes for Indigenous adults in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States. Seven studies were included in the review. Three reported statistically significant reductions in means HbA1c f ..read more

The ever-increasing number of drugs available to treat type 2 diabetes and the complexity of patients with this condition present a constant challenge when it comes to identifying the most appropriate treatment approach. The more recent glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are non-insulin injectable options for the management of type 2 diabetes. Effective at improving glycaemic control with a low intrinsic risk of hypoglycaemia and the potential for weight reduction, this agent class is an important addition to the prescribing armamentarium. However, understanding their place i ..read more

Tirzepatide is a first-in-class GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist (‘twincretin’)—a single molecule that acts as an agonist at both glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors. In the SURPASS clinical trial program in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), tirzepatide was associated with unprecedented reductions in HbA1c, clinically significant weight loss and other metabolic benefits, combined with low rates of hypoglycaemia across a wide range of patient characteristics. The safety and adverse event rate for tirzepatide appears comparable to that of GLP ..read more

Early and intensive management of type 2 diabetes has been shown to delay disease progression, reduce the risk of cardiorenal complications and prolong time to treatment failure. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are being increasingly recognized for their potential in early disease management, with recent guideline updates recommending second-line use of this injectable drug class along-side oral glucose-lowering drugs. GLP-1RAs target at least six of the eight core defects implicated in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and offer significant glycaemic and weight-related ..read more

This paper, co-authored by Associate Professor Roy Rasalam (Principal Investigator at AusTrials Sunshine in Melbourne), systematically reviews randomized controlled trials assessing effects of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) on hospitalization for heart failure (HHF) and cardiac structure/function and explore randomized controlled trial (RCT)-derived evidence for SGLT2i efficacy mechanisms in heart failure (HF). This review found that in seven trials [3730–17 160 patients; low risk of bias (RoB)], SGLT2is significantly reduced the relative risk of HHF by 27–39% vs. placebo ..read more

Associate Professor Roy Rasalam has joined the new AusTrials site in Melbourne as the Principal Investigator. He is a clinician researcher and has a special interest in diabetes clinical care and research and co-author of the Diabetes Australia & RACGP type 2 diabetes national guidelines.    Roy brings over 25 years of clinical experience from both the public hospital and private sectors. He currently has a clinical appointment with the Endocrinology & Diabetes Department at Alfred Health, Melbourne. He is affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine at University of Melbour ..read more