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Introduction: Two parallel versions (A and B) of the Oxford Cognitive Screen (OCS) were developed in the United Kingdom (UK) as a stroke‐specific screen of five key cognitive domains commonly affected post‐stroke. We aimed to develop the Australian versions A and B (OCS‐AU), including Australian cut‐scores indicative of impairment. We hypothesised there to be no difference in performance between the UK and Australian normative data cohorts. Methods: Our multidisciplinary expert panel used the UK pre‐defined process to develop the OCS‐AU versions A and B. We then conducted a cross‐sectional normative study. We purposively recruited community‐dwelling, Australian‐born, and educated adults; with no known cognitive impairment; representative of age, sex, education level, and living location; at seven sites (four metropolitan, three regional) across four Australian states. Participants completed one or both OCS‐AU versions in a randomised order. Australian cohorts were compared with the corresponding UK cohorts for demographics using Pearson's chi‐squared test for sex and education, and Welch two‐sample t test for age. For the cut‐scores indicating cognitive impairment, the fifth (95th) percentiles and group mean performance score for each scored item were compared using Welch two‐sample t tests. The pre‐defined criteria for retaining OCS cut‐scores had no statistically significant difference in either percentile or group mean scores for each scored item. Results: Participants (n = 83) were recruited: fifty‐eight completed version A [age (years) mean = 61,SD = 15; 62% female], 60 completed version B [age (years) mean = 62,SD = 13, 53% female], and 35 completed both [age (years) mean = 64,SD = 11, 54% female]. Education was different between the cohorts for version B (12 years, p = 0.002). Cut‐scores for all 16 scored items for the OCS‐AU version B and 15/16 for version A met our pre‐defined criteria for retaining the OCS cut scores. Conclusions: The OCS‐AU provides clinicians with an Australian‐specific, first‐line cognitive screening tool for people after stroke. Early screening can guide treatment and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

VINCENT, S. D., R. P. PANGRAZI, A. RAUSTORP, L. M. TOMSON, and T. F. CUDDIHY. Activity Levels and Body Mass Index of Children in the United States, Sweden, and Australia. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 35, No. 8, pp. 1367-1373, 2003.PURPOSE Assess the physical activity and body mass index (BMI) levels of children in the United States, Sweden, and Australia.METHODS A total of 1954 children, 6-12 yr old (711 American, 563 Australian, and 680 Swedish) wore sealed pedometers for four consecutive days. Height and weight measures were obtained.RESULTS Descriptive data for step counts and BMI by sex, age, and country were calculated to determine activity levels and BMI. Three-way multivariate ANOVA for step counts and BMI between countries at each age and sex found that, in general, the Swedish children were significantly more active than the Australian and American children, and the American children were significantly heavier than the Australian and Swedish children. For boys, the mean step counts ranged from 15,673 to 18,346 for Sweden, 13,864 to 15,023 for Australia, and 12,554 to 13,872 for America. For girls, the mean step counts ranged from 12,041 to 14,825 for Sweden, 11,221 to 12,322 for Australia, and 10,661 to 11,383 for America. The activity curve is somewhat level during the preadolescent years. The rate of increase in BMI with age is much greater in the American children than in the Swedish or Australian children. The percent of American, Swedish, and Australian boys classified as overweight/obese was 33.5, 16.6, and 15.8, respectively. The percent of American, Swedish, and Australian girls classified as overweight/obese was 35.6, 16.8, and 14.4, respectively. Correlation analysis found few significant negative relationships between step counts and BMI.CONCLUSIONS American children tend to be the least active and heaviest with the greatest rate of increase in BMI. The Swedish children are the most active group followed by Australia. Swedish and Australian children maintain lower BMI throughout their prepubescent years than do the American children who have a greater percentage who are classified as overweight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Radiation therapy (RT) offers a less invasive management option for bariatric cancer patients. As the proportion of Australians categorised overweight or obese approaches 70%, it is not well understood how this growth will impact RT departments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the current and potential future body mass index (BMI) of RT patients at one centre, with the purpose of identifying variables that may impact resource planning decisions., Methods: De-identified demographic data including gender, age, diagnosis code, activity code and BMI were obtained from MOSAIQ® oncology information system for 5548 courses of RT commenced between 2017 and 2020, and retrospectively analysed. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the data. Simple and multiple linear regression was used to analyse for statistically significant relationships between variables., Results: Of all patient courses, 64% were overweight or obese. Average BMI increased over time by 0.3 kg/m 2 per year. Courses related to the young and elderly had a lower average BMI. Breast, brain/skull, and pelvis/prostate treatment sites had a significant association with a higher average BMI. Thorax treatment sites had a lower average BMI, but this average is increasing at the fastest rate of all treatment sites. Prone breast courses had an average BMI 5.58 kg/m 2 higher than IMRT/VMAT courses., Conclusion: Results demonstrate that patient BMI is increasing. Resources related to breast courses (breast board, prone board) and thorax courses (lung board) may experience increased strain in the future. Modifications to department workflow and scheduling are likely required. Further research into staffing implications is recommended., (© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy and New Zealand Institute of Medical Radiation Technology.)