Hard to believe, but this is my last Research blog of 2013! I’d like to share what I think are the Research Center’s most exciting accomplishments of the year. Our projects fall into one of two camps: improving the prevention or management of a disease. In 2013 this resulted in more than 490 study volunteer appointments with the Research Center staff and doctors. Practically speaking though, what does it mean?
It means we’re helping find a vaccine to prevent a condition commonly known as C diff infection. C diff is an opportunistic bacterial infection causing recurrent and long-lasting episodes of diarrhea that usually afflicts patients who are not robust to begin with – typically those who are hospitalized or living in an assisted-care facility.
We’re helping find new treatments for diabetes that help those with diabetes have better control of their blood sugars. Improved blood sugar control will help these patients avoid complications, such as kidney failure, blindness, and amputation.
We’re working to make available better treatments for pulmonary diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). For patients, this type of research will eventually improve disease management by reducing the number of inhalers, the dosing frequency, and hospitalizations for breathing issues.
For allergy sufferers, we’re helping to provide an alternative to weekly trips to the allergist for immunotherapy, so-called allergy shots. We’re doing this by participating in a study to evaluate if the same allergy relief can be achieved with a tablet taken at home.
Speaking of allergies, we participated in a study evaluating a laboratory product that can quickly and conveniently determine if a patient is truly allergic to penicillin. In this study, we were able to inform more than 30 volunteers who had previously been allergic to penicillin (yours truly included!) that they may safely be treated with penicillin if medically necessary.
Looking forward, the Research Center will continue to have a strong presence in the diabetes research area, with at least four projects planned. In addition, we’ll be working on the Expedition 3 Alzheimer’s Disease study, which will evaluate a treatment aimed at slowing progression of disease in those with mild Alzheimer’s. Our mission in 2014 will be unchanged from last year: to participate in clinical research aimed at improving ways to prevent and manage disease. Stated more simply, our mission is hope.
– Julie Carrico is Associate Coordinator of The Corvallis Clinic Clinical Research Center
