Data from the 45 and Up Study has informed important research on cancer, diabetes and other pressing health issues this year, generating global media attention and helping to inform evidence-based decision making. Highlights include:
Men more likely to suffer from diabetes complications than women
A study by the University of Sydney found that men are more likely than women to experience complications from diabetes. The study, published in Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, looked at over 25,000 participants from the 45 and Up Study who had been previously diagnosed with diabetes. The team of researchers found that rates of heart disease and complications of the leg, foot and kidney were all markedly higher in men, over an average monitoring period of around ten years. The findings, which highlighted the need for targeted screening for diabetes complications, were reported across Australia and internationally.
Can you walk a kilometre? The question that can predict fracture risk
A study by the Garvan Institute found that people who reported greater difficulty walking one kilometre were more likely to experience a fracture over a five-year period. The team of researchers analysed survey responses from more than 230,000 participants from the 45 and Up Study and used linked data to hospitalisations and visits to the emergency department to track fracture outcomes. Women who said they were severely limited in walking one kilometre had a 60% higher fracture risk than women with no reported limitation. For men, risk was more than doubled.
The findings, which were reported internationally, suggested a straightforward and cost-effective way for clinicians to identify those in need of further bone health screening.
Cancer patients hit by high out-of-pocket costs
Research published in the Medical Journal of Australia revealed the high out-of-pocket costs incurred by cancer patients in Australia. The Daffodil Centre, a joint venture of Cancer Council NSW and the University of Sydney, led the research which analysed data from over 45,000 participants from the 45 and Up Study.
More than half of people diagnosed with cancer in the previous two years had annual out-of-pocket costs higher than $1000, and almost one in ten had costs over $10,000. People with breast or prostate cancers were the hardest hit with high out-of-pocket expenses. The findings indicated that out-of-pocket costs are potentially a barrier to equitable health care access, said study authors.
Stroke survivors’ access to healthcare under the microscope
A study by the University of Technology Sydney and Southern Cross University investigated the demographic factors affecting stroke-related health care use among Australian stroke survivors. The researchers analysed 12 months of demographic, health service use and health status information from more than 500 participants in the 45 and Up Study who had a previous stroke diagnosis.
The study found that the number of doctor consultations decreased for females, those who live in an inner regional area, those who were separated, divorced or widowed, and for those who completed a trade, apprenticeship or diploma. The number of allied health practitioner consultations decreased with age as well as for females and those who live in an outer regional or remote area. The findings suggested possible barriers to care which need to be addressed to ensure equitable healthcare for Australians, said study authors.
Survey update: new insights into cognitive decline
This year, the 45 and Up Study shared new survey data on Australians living with cognitive decline and their health and wellbeing. The data is from 17,200 responses to the 45 and Up Study’s Wave 4 survey, which is the fourth major survey of participants since the Study commenced in 2005.
The Wave 4 survey asked participants for the first time about being diagnosed with dementia, Alzheimer’s or mild cognitive impairment. 1034 participants, or 6% of those surveyed, reported a diagnosis of one or more of these conditions. Survey responses showed that people living with cognitive decline are twice as likely to report high levels of psychological distress, and almost twice as likely to report lower levels of quality of life, compared with those who aren’t living with cognitive decline.
The data will help form an important evidence platform to guide policy and services in coming years.
What’s next?
2025 is set to be another big year for the 45 and Up Study, with us celebrating 20 years of the Study and more survey data from Wave 4 being made available to researchers. If you’d like to stay up to date, sign up for our newsletter or explore more of the research here.
PUBLICATION DATE
18 December 2024
