Alzheimer's and B2:
A population-based study reported in Neurology has explored the association of low levels of vitamin B2 and folate in relation to the development of Alzheimer's disease. A random sample of 370 people, aged 75 or older and not taking vitamin B2 or folate, was monitored for three years to detect the development of Alzheimer's.
Compared with those with normal levels of both vitamins, patients with low levels of Vitamin B2 or folate had double the chance of developing Alzheimer's. A link was detected only when both vitamins were taken into account. But further research will be necessary before routine measurement of vitamin levels can be recommended.
Contacts complications:
A recent article in Prescriber has highlighted the importance of doctors asking patients if they wear contact lenses when prescribing some treatments, as there are some unexpected problems. Beta blockers, thiazide diuretics (water tablets) and high-oestrogen oral contraceptives may all reduce tear production.
Certain antimicrobial medication may stain lenses, and some tetracyclines, a type of antibiotic, have caused photophobia. Nasal decongestants increase lens sensitivity and may even cause lens discolouration with prolonged use.
Retail headache:
Some shops are selling paracetamol in packs that contain four times as many tablets as the quantities stipulated by the Irish Medicines Board. In a survey of 100 non-pharmacy outlets, researchers for the Irish Medical Journal discovered that they were able to buy four 12-tablet or two 24-tablet packs from mainstream shops, which are meant to sell only emergency supplies.
Paracetamol poisoning remains the most common form of overdose requiring hospital admission. Legislation coming into force next month will provide a statutory basis for the board's guidelines.
Medal haul:
The 16-member Irish team at the 13th World Transplant Games, in the Japanese city of Kobe, last week brought home 12 medals - one gold, three silver and eight bronze, in sports including golf, badminton and athletics - in our biggest success to date. The team members, aged from their 20s to their 60s, are recipients of a kidney, lung, heart or liver.
The aim of the Games, in which 51 countries took part, is to promote organ donation and the health and fitness of organ recipients. Following a 35 per cent drop in organ donations in the first quarter of the year, the Irish Kidney Association says donations have gone up since its awareness day in April.
Parkinson's therapy:
Therapeutics Today has suggested that dopamine agonists should be considered for initial first-line therapy in early Parkinson's disease. In certain patient groups, the newer therapies may be preferable to the standard levodopa treatment. Researchers have suggested that the medications, which include ropinirole, pramipexole, pergolide and cabergoline, reduce the risk of motor complications seen in long-term levodopa therapy and may provide symptomatic relief for a few years before additional levodopa therapy is required.
Children in hospital:
Children in Hospital Ireland is seeking volunteers to help children and their parents cope with the trauma of a hospital stay. Once trained, the volunteers will organise play activities and work on information desks in Dublin hospitals. The organisation is hosting an information morning at Carmichael House, North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7, from 10.15 a.m. on Saturday. Recruits will then be trained on September 29th and October 6th (both Saturdays). More information from 01-8780448.
lifelines@irish-times.ie