Kolling Institute News

Kolling Institute News

Researchers question value of plasma injections for knee osteoarthritis

Study confirms deadly risk of COVID-19 for those with heart failure and other chronic conditions

Talented, young researcher takes out prestigious national award

Discovery into reality

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MESSAGE FROM THE ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

2021 has been another extraordinary year. It’s been a year defined by the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant changes to our work and personal lives. We have again been asked to demonstrate considerable flexibility and resilience, and I’ve been tremendously impressed by the efforts and commitment of our team throughout the year. Despite the changes over the last 12 months, it’s been a remarkable year for the Kolling. We kicked off the year with the launch of the institute’s strategy, a blueprint to strengthen our ability to achieve ground breaking research. The strategy involves a host of initiatives to increase the impact of our research and shape the future of the institute. I would like to thank the large number of people who have been involved in the development of the strategic framework this year, as well as the many members of the priority research area and research enabler committees. Thank you for sharing your time and expertise to help us achieve substantial progress this year and help secure our long- term success.

2021 has seen members of our team drive nationally and internationally significant research and directly influence patient outcomes. Importantly this progress has been made across all our priority research areas of neuroscience and pain, musculoskeletal, and cardiovascular and renal research. We are influencing patient treatments, health policy, and crucially, raising the level of care our community receives. Our efforts have been recognised with a range of prestigious honours and significant funding including National Health and Medical Research Council grants – some of which are featured in this newsletter – state government funds and philanthropic support. There is tremendous expertise and experience across the Kolling and it’s encouraging to see our track record consistently recognised. As we reflect on the achievements this year and plan for 2022, we expect to see a greater focus on strengthening our existing partnerships and establishing new ones. We anticipate there will be further collaborations across our priority research areas, as well as with industry, government

and a growing body of consumer partners. All of these partnerships hold the key to large-scale, multidisciplinary research success and substantial improvements in patient care, and further efforts will be invested in fostering these relationships. I would like to commend everyone for their contribution this year and wish you all a wonderful break over the holiday period. I would also like to welcome back Executive Director Professor Carolyn Sue who will be returning from leave in the new year. We look forward to your return.

Warm regards

Jim Professor Jim Elliott Acting Executive Director

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KOLLINGNEWS | DECEMBER 2021

Researchers reject the use of plasma injections for knee joint osteoarthritis

In what will be disappointing news for many, a large-scale clinical trial has found platelet-rich plasma injections for osteoarthritis knee pain are no better than a placebo. This type of injection has become an increasingly popular form of treatment for knee joint arthritis, despite its prohibitive cost at around $2,000 per injection. Plasma from a patient’s own blood is injected directly into the joint in the hope it will reduce pain and improve joint cartilage. But a trial conducted by researchers from the universities of Sydney and Melbourne and Monash University has found that while participants who had the plasma injections did have a significant improvement in their knee pain over 12 months, the level of improvement was the same as for those in the placebo group.

There were also no differences in the MRI scans across both groups. Kolling Institute and University of Sydney researcher, and RNSH clinician Professor David Hunter concedes the findings will disappoint some people who had hoped these injections would offer long-term relief. “With more than two million Australians affected by knee joint arthritis, there is clearly a need for new therapies to reduce symptoms and improve the structure of the knee,” he said. “Unfortunately, the particular treatment trialled in this study, whilst widely used and typically expensive, appears to be ineffective. “Our research however has added to our understanding of this type of treatment and will ensure the latest recommendations are backed by high-quality evidence.

“Our current advice encourages people with knee osteoarthritis to adopt a consistent exercise program and lose weight if they are above a healthy weight range. “We know that by reducing your body weight by just 10 per cent, you can reduce your knee pain by a remarkable 50 per cent.” The research paper has been published in one of the world’s leading medical journals, the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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WWW.KOLLINGINSTITUTE.ORG.AU

Study confirms deadly risk of COVID-19 for those with heart failure and other chronic conditions

The largest study of its kind in Australia has found patients with a history of heart failure are three times more likely to die from COVID-19. Launched last year at the outset of the pandemic, the AUS-COVID trial is investigating those who are most at risk from COVID-19 in Australia. To date, it has assessed hundreds of patients in 21 hospitals across the country. The study confirmed earlier concerns by clinicians and demonstrated that patients with pre-existing heart failure are three times more likely to die from COVID-19. Over 100,000 Australians live with heart failure according to >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16

www.nslhd.health.nsw.gov.au

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