Lifelines is compiled by Sylvia Thompson and Dr Muiris Houston.
• NICOTINE PATCHES: The effectiveness of nicotine patches may be related to genetic make-up in women, but not in men. Researchers examined 752 people eight years after they had taken part in a trial of nicotine patches. In women, the effectiveness of nicotine patches seemed to be related to genotype. Women with CT or TT genotype showed considerable benefit from patches, while those with the more common CC genotype did not. No significant relation between genotype and patch effectiveness was seen in men. The authors suggest that nicotine replacement therapy works through different processes and is subject to different genetic influences in men and women.
• EARLY INTERVENTION: Surgical intervention to remove narrowing in the carotid artery (carotid endarterectomy) could substantially reduce the risk of major stroke in certain groups of patients if it is done sufficiently soon after a "mini stroke" or transient ischaemic attack (TIA). Data from studies involving 5,900 people was used to assess the risk of stroke without surgery, the risk of stroke and death due to surgery, and the overall benefit from surgery. Benefit from surgery was greatest in men, patients aged 75 years or older, and those treated within two weeks after their mini stroke, and fell rapidly with increasing delay. According to the authors, there is a need to educate the public about the symptoms of TIAs so that people seek medical attention immediately.
• DONOR AWARENESS: The Minister for Health will launch Organ Donor Awareness Week 2004 today at the Mansion House, Dublin. The Awareness Week (April 3rd to 10th) seeks support from the public in highlighting the ongoing need for organ donation for transplantation and encourages more people to carry organ donor cards. Last year 195 lives in the Republic were extended or saved by organ transplantation. This represents a slight decline on 2002 when 212 transplants took place. During Awareness Week, Forget-me-Not flowers and donor keyrings will be on sale. Proceeds will go towards the Irish Kidney Association's public education programme and support for patients on dialysis and those who have had kidney transplants.
• HEALTH EQUALITY: Anti-discrimination and equality in healthcare is the focus of a conference in the Mansion House, Dublin tomorrow. Organised by Access Ireland, the refugee social integration project, the conference will look at how doctors deal with minority ethnic groups and how the experience for such patients can be improved. Speakers from Finland and Germany will also explain how these countries have cared for the Roma Community. The conference is open to health professionals and representatives from minority groups. Full programme details from Mayte Calvo on tel: 01 8780589.
• MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: Can reflexology ease the pain of multiple sclerosis? Researchers at the University of Ulster will measure the efforts of this complementary therapy on 100 patients with MS across Northern Ireland over the next 18 months. The controlled clinical trial will also look at whether reflexology can reduce spasm and improve the patient's quality of life.