Concord Hormones and Ageing in Men Project (CHAMP) [ 2004 - 2008 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Robert Cumming (Principal investigator) ,  Dr Helen Creasey ,  Dr Louise Waite ,  Prof David Handelsman ,  Prof Markus Seibel
View all 6 related researchers

Brief description Throughout life men have poorer health than women, a health difference that extends into old age. In Australia in 2001, life expectancy for a 65 year old man was 20% less than for a 65 year old woman (81.6 years for men and 85.2 years for women). The study proposed here will fill major gaps in knowledge about key health problems in older men. The study will be called CHAMP: Concord Hormones and Ageing in Men Project. As people grow older, health problems that cause loss of independence and reduced quality of life become increasingly important. The term 'geriatric giants' is sometimes used to describe these disabling syndromes: falls and fractures, cognitive impairment and dementia, urinary incontinence, and poor mobility and functional dependence. CHAMP has been designed to investigate the causes of, and inter-relationships between, these geriatric syndromes in men. Reproductive hormones are responsible for the fundamental biological differences between men and women. Underpinning CHAMP is the idea that age-related changes in reproductive hormones play an important role in the development of the geriatric syndromes in older men. There have been numerous studies of oestrogen and health in older women but only limited research on testosterone and other reproductive hormones in older men. CHAMP will be the largest study of the geriatric syndromes in older men ever conducted. The study will inlvolve 2800 men aged 65 years and over recruited from the community around Concord Hospital in Sydney. These men will each spend 3 hours at the study centre, where they will have a comprehensive physical examination and tests for osteoporosis, muscle weakness, dementia and urinary problems, as well as blood tests. This will all be repeated 2 years later.

Funding Amount $AUD 1,780,887.50

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant