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NEWS UPDATE
SEPTEMBER 2017
+ Have high cholesterol? |
Clinical Trials
Are you unable to take medication for your cholesterol? If you answered ‘yes’, you may be eligible to participate in the CLEAR Outcomes clinical trial at Hunter Diabetes Centre.
The CLEAR Outcomes study will be testing the investigational medication Bempedoic Acid, referred to as ETC-1002. The study will be testing if this investigational medication reduces the risk of major cardiovascular events in participants with, or at high risk for, cardiovascular disease who are also statin intolerant. The study will also look at how safe the medication is and how it may affect cholesterol
levels.
This study lasts for 2-5 years, and will involve both phone calls and visits to our centre. Visits will be frequent in the beginning, moving on to 3-monthly as the study progresses. Participants will be required to take study medication or placebo daily throughout the course of the study. This study is double-blinded and randomised, which means neither the participant nor our research team will know what medication each participant has been allocated. This is how
we gather fair results and ensure the study is unbiased.
Participation in this study is completely voluntary, with study medication and tests being provided at no cost. Participants will be closely monitored and cared for by our research team, nurses and doctors.
To be eligible for this study, you need to be: - over 18 years of age
- have, or be at high risk for, cardiovascular disease
- unable to tolerate statins
If you or someone you know wants to know more about participating in this study, we'd love to hear from you. Give us a call on (02) 4963 2323 (take option 1) or click the button below to send us an email.
Poorly managed diabetes can increase your risk of complications elsewhere in the body. We have previously discussed eye problems and what to look out for, but another common area of concern for people with diabetes is their feet. Unfortunately, people often associate diabetes with amputations, particularly of the feet. This is often used as a scare
tactic, but it is not the norm if good diabetes management is achieved. Proper foot care and knowing what to look out for are key to keeping your feet healthier for longer.
It is important to have your feet checked by a doctor, podiatrist or diabetes educator as part of your diabetes care regime. With a medical eye, they will look at: - Condition of toenails, skin on feet and shape of feet
- Pulses in feet to check blood flow/circulation
- Nerves
in feet by touching soles with thread of nylon
- Make sure your shoes are the best fit
An assessment will then be made if your feet are low or high risk. High risk feet will need to be rechecked every 3-6 months, with low risk feet requiring an annual check. However, you should seek professional help as soon as you notice any sign of infection, skin breakdown (such as an ulcer or crack) or new pain, swelling or redness.
When it comes to feet, some
changes to look out for also include calluses or corns, dry skin, blisters, ingrown toe nails, claw toes, bunions, or ulcers. Utilising proper self-care will help to reduce these problems or stop them from occurring initially. It is imperative that your feet are washed daily and dried thoroughly, applying moisturiser afterwards (but not between the toes). To avoid ingrown toenails, cut the toe nail straight across as opposed to a rounded shape. Wearing properly fitted footwear is also essential,
and for those with high risk feet, it is recommended to wear shoes around the home as well for continued support.
Self-care for feet goes a long way to preventing complications further down the track. You also need to keep with your regular check-ups and follow your doctor’s advice. Tell your doctor if you have notice any changes, however minor, as prevention is key. Our diabetes educator Annette put together a neat little video on proper foot care – click the button
below to watch.
+ High Tea for Hamlin | Event
This month we honour the work of Dr Catherine Hamlin, raising funds for her foundation to help Ethiopian women suffering from obstetric fistulas. The gynaecologist's work began on a trip to an Ethiopian hospital almost 60 years ago, with her husband Reg, where they met their first obstetric fistula patient.
Having never
encountered the condition before, the Hamlin’s were deeply affected by the suffering of these women. Due to prior female circumcision, women endured painful childbirths that resulted in debilitating fistulas, leaving them incontinent, humiliated, and ostracised from their communities. 93% of fistula cases ended in stillbirth, leaving women to suffer the physical pain of their injuries and the emotional suffering of losing a child.
For Catherine, a dream was born – to end
obstetric fistulas in Ethiopia. Catherine honed her surgical skills to repair fistulas and set up hospitals across the country dedicated to treating the condition. Founding the Hamlin College of Midwives, Ethiopian women have been vigorously trained as midwives to tackle the problem head on, focusing on prevention through safer childbirths.
Dr Catherine Hamlin has revolutionised the maternity healthcare landscape for women in Ethiopia. Over 50, 000 Ethiopian women
have had their dignity restored thanks to Catherine. To pay homage to Catherine’s wonderful work and that of her foundation, we are raising funds by hosting a High Tea for Hamlin. On September 19th, we will provide a spread of delicious food in our waiting room in exchange for a gold coin donation. All proceeds will go straight to the Hamlin Foundation, and we have set our fundraising target at $600 – the price of one corrective
surgery.
We have also created a fundraising page so you can donate online. Any amount helps, is tax deductible and is greatly appreciated. You can read more about the Hamlin Foundation here, and can donate by clicking the button below. Help us to help Catherine and the women of Ethiopia. |
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