This section contains examples of research carried out in the high priority areas as defined by the National Institute for Health Research.
Stroke and cardiovascular research
Stroke research has concentrated on the medical management of intracerebral haemorrhage and the stroke care pathway contained in the national stroke care strategy. The prevention of cardiovascular disease by the use of statins and antibiotic prophylaxis for infective endocarditis has been the focus of cardiovascular research over the year.
Diabetes
The research portfolio has included the assessment of posture and postural instability in women with diabetes to help prevent falls and fractures, a review of the management of diabetes in pregnancy, and an evaluation of the impact of the multi-disciplinary team on the outcomes for patients with diabetic kidney disease.
Further studies of diabetes in pregnancy are planned for application to the NIHR research programme.
Cancer
In collaboration with the Royal Marsden and Institute of Cancer Research, clinical investigations have focused on thyroid cancer and neuroendocrine carcinoma. The haematology team have screened and recruited patients for five multi-centre cancer National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) network-supported studies of leukaemia (AML 15, AML 16), lymphoma R CHOP 14 v21, L YO5 and multiple myeloma (MERIT).
One of our cardiologists (RB) has been appointed specialist cardiology adviser in the Cancer Research UK trials of Celecoxib in bladder cancer (BOXIT) and the trial of Celecoxib in breast cancer (REACT).
Childhood disease
The paediatric department is actively participating in the NHMRC-supported International Neonatal Immunotherapy Study (IN IS) which is assessing whether IV immunoglobulin reduces mortality and adverse neonatal developmental outcomes in infants with sepsis.
In addition, studies in children with cystic fibrosis have been undertaken investigating the optimal means of microbiological surveillance.
Research has also included assessment of the national newborn screening programmes particularly in relation to sickle cell disease.
Mental illness
Research carried out over the year has included a study and review of mental health problems seen in the A&E department and assessment of the liaison psychiatry service.
Neurodegenerative disease
In collaboration with Glasgow University. studies of tryptophan metabolism in neurodegenerative disease have been conducted.
