NEWS —MARCH 24, 2003 - MARCH 30, 2003
CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE, DIABETES & HOME HEALTH
Accuracy & Productivity Increased For European Home Health Workers... with XTNDConnect server software from Extended Systems (Boise ID). As a mobile outpatient nursing application, XTNDConnect has been deployed to 600 workers in The Netherlands. The goal is to improve accuracy and productivity with lower support costs. The new system eliminates the need for manual data entry as nurses obtain and transmit real-time patient data, schedules, and service information using handheld wireless devices. Other benefits include immediate data updating, less travel time for outpatient nurses, and reduced paperwork.
Improved Glycemia Control Demonstrated In Phase II Clinical Trials... of BVT.3498, a lead compound from Biovitrum (Stockholm, Sweden) that is being investigated for use in the treatment of type II diabetes. The study involves more than 100 patients who are participating in centers located in Finland and Sweden. As a selective inhibitor of 11beta-HSD2, BVT.3498 provides a novel approach for treatment because of potentially positive effects on body composition, lipid profile, and other insulin resistance-related metabolic factors.
Milestone Payment Rewards Advancement... of Ligand Pharmaceutical's (San Diego Ca) LY818 peroxisome proliferation activated receptor (PPAR) to Phase II studies. As a novel oral once-daily drug candidate for treatment of type II diabetes and other metabolic diseases, LY818 has been the focus of an ongoing research collaboration between Ligand and Eli Lilly And Company (Indianapolis IN) that was established in 1997. The $1.5 million payment marks another step toward commercialization of one compound within a broad platform of entities with distinct receptor specificity and tissue selectivity that is likely to address diabetes, dyslipidemias, and related cardiovascular disorders.
High Blood Levels Of Homocysteine Appear To Be Linked To... congestive heart failure. Although more research is needed, preliminary findings suggest a strong association. Future efforts will need to demonstrate that lowering blood levels of homocysteine can reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease. The findings of this particular study (reported in the March 12th issue of the Journal Of The American Medical Association) are the first to link high homocysteine levels with heart failure. Other research has established an association with cardiovascular disease and heart attack.
The National Public Health Initiative On Diabetes And Women's Health... issued by the Department Of Health And Human Services (HHS; Washington DC) this week is intended to increase awareness of diabetes and encourage prevention. An estimated 9.0 million women in the United States already have diabetes, but the onset of complications such as heart disease can be delayed or prevented. Specific objectives are expansion of community-based health education, increased use of risk assessment, promotion of research efforts, and support for self-management. Individuals within certain ethnic, minority, racial, or other populations (adolescent women) are often at increased risk for diabetes. During the past decade, there has been a nearly 50% increase in diagnosed diabetes among women.
