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Team trials skin patches to treat stroke patients

1 March 2004

The Bupa Foundation has awarded a grant of over £180,000 to a study that is seeking to lower blood pressure in stroke patients using a simple skin patch.

Researchers from the University of Nottingham have found that lowering blood pressure using a skin patch works particularly well for patients who are unable to swallow - a common side-effect of stroke.

As well as assessing how well the patches lower blood pressure, the two-year study also aims to demonstrate that lowering blood pressure after a stroke decreases patients' chances of having a subsequent stroke and increases their chances of survival.

"After a stroke patients' blood pressure is often high and this is directly linked with early recurrence of stroke and increased death and dependency. But so far there have been no large trials assessing whether lowering blood pressure might improve the outcome for patients. One of our aims is to provide the evidence for this," said Professor Philip Bath from the University of Nottingham's Division of Stroke Medicine.

Stroke is a major health concern in Britain today. Every year first and recurrent strokes affect 140,000 people in the UK. Approximately one third of patients die over three to six months and another third remain dependent on others. Stroke is the most common cause of severe adult disability and the third most common cause of death.

"Stroke also consumes at least six per cent of NHS resources. Therefore any improvements to therapy for stroke patients are likely not only to have major benefits for patients but also to have economic benefits," said Professor Bath.

Dr Andrew Vallance-Owen, governor of the Bupa Foundation and Bupa's medical director, said, "This is a controversial area but the study is tackling a major health concern in an innovative manner and we look forward to seeing the results."

The Bupa Foundation is a charitable organisation founded in 1979 that exists to provide finance towards the prevention, relief and cure of sickness and ill health. The Bupa Foundation has awarded grants in excess of £10 million for medical research and healthcare initiatives.