On the Rounds

Published on Monday 17 November 2008 20:21

NEWS MORE than half of all women in Scotland have no idea what their blood pressure is, putting their health at risk and increasing their chances of having a stroke, according to the Stroke Association.

A survey commissioned by the charity revealed that 55 per cent of women were unaware of their blood pressure and 68 per cent did not know what constituted an optimal reading.

Blood pressure is the single greatest risk element for stroke, and recent research suggests up to 40 per cent of all stroke deaths could be prevented by controlling it.

The survey also found that, of the 13 per cent of Scottish women prescribed medication to control blood pressure, 42 per cent did not take their tablets regularly.

Eighty-three per cent of respondents did not know that lack of exercise increased stroke risk, and 72 per cent were unaware that diet was also a factor.

&#149 A RESEARCH team led by scientists at Dundee University has been granted 3.8 million to develop drugs to fight bacterial “superbugs”.

The Aeropath project, which also includes a team at St Andrews University, has received the money from the EU and will research gram-negative bacteria, which are a particular problem for burns victims and those suffering from cystic fibrosis.

&#149 POLITICIANS running for the office of prime minister or president should undergo an independent health examination to ensure they are fit to govern, according to Lord Owen.

Writing in the British Medical Journal, the former doctor says political leaders have an obligation to the public to ensure their decision-making ability is not affected by ill-health.

&#149 FIBRE, antispasmodic drugs and peppermint are effective treatments for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and should be used as frontline treatments, according to a study published on BMJ.com. The authors, Dr Alex Ford and his colleagues at McMaster University in Canada, studied more than 2,500 patients and say that IBS management guidelines should now be amended to include their findings.

They argue that the use of these treatments has been overlooked in favour of newer, more expensive drugs.

&#149 A SCOTTISH life sciences company has developed a personal lubricant that could help couples conceive.

Trials at Dundee University found that Burdica Biomed’s HYSeed product demonstrated no significant loss of sperm movement, which is a common side-effect of other lubricants.

The company said this is because the formula used to make the substance uses materials natural to the human body.

&#149 THE Royal College of Physicians has set up a working party on nutrition and oral-feeding difficulties.

The multi-disciplinary group, with lay representation, will produce a report giving advice to doctors and other healthcare professionals who face the daily difficulties of providing best care for such patients. It has taken evidence from a number of groups, but is seeking short submissions of fewer than 1,500 words from others. These should be sent to by 31 December.

AWARDS

A RECENTLY retired NHS Tayside employee was awarded the Scottish Radiographer of the Year award at a ceremony in the House of Commons.

Trudy McLeay, who worked for 40 years in Dundee, including setting up the X-ray department of Ninewells Hospital, was recognised for her contribution to research, teaching and the development of the MRI service in Tayside.

&#149 AN NHS Lothian team has become the first public-sector service to receive a top grade for its work from the Chartered Quality Institute.

The hospital sterilisation and decontamination unit at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary sterilises around seven million surgical instruments each year and has been rewarded for a recent 35 per cent increase in efficiency. The team is also short-listed for best independent project of the year at the inaugural UK Lean Healthcare Academy Awards.