Research

Highlights

Dr. Miller Receives Prestigious NIH Grant for End-Stage Chronic Disease

Lois L. Miller, Ph.D., R.N., was recently awarded a 2-year National Institutes of Health (NIH) Grant for a study titled: "Symptoms & Symptom Clusters in End-Stage Chronic Disease." This longitudinal study will focus on identifying and understanding the symptoms experienced by patients with end-stage heart failure or other chronic eventually-fatal conditions. Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. and its incidence, prevalence and mortality are increasing. It is estimated that the number of heart failure patients older than 65 will double in the next 40 years.

This exploratory pilot study will concentrate on identification of patterns within the multiple symptoms and co-morbidities often present in older adults with heart failure. The study results will be essential to identifying patterns of symptoms in the months preceding death, which can then be used to develop the much-needed palliative care strategies for such patients. An understanding of symptom clusters and the disease trajectory will help healthcare providers provide better care and symptom-relief for these patients. The two-year study will take place from April 2008 until March 2010. Congratulations to Dr. Miller!

Dr. Lyons Awarded Grant from NIAMS to Study Fibromyalgia

Dr. Karen Lyons will study "Couple perceptions of Fibromyalgia Symptoms" with a $250,000 grant from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). Firbromyalgia (FM) is a common, debilitating and costly rheumatic pain syndrome characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, disrupted sleep, and physical impairment. Rheumatic disease consists of over 100 illnesses and conditions affecting nearly 40 million people in the U.S. and expected to reach 60 million by 2020. The most frequently diagnosed rheumatic diseases are osteoarthristis, FM and rheumatoid arthritis; a common feature of all being severe and unpredictable pain greatly impacting quality of life. Understanding the ways in which FM couples manage symptoms and adapt to the unpredictable nature of the syndrome will enable interventions to maximize the health and well-being of the patient and spouse. The ultimate goal of the proposed study is to design a couple intervention to balance the needs of both members of the couple, and ultimately to improve the patient's quality of care. This study will enroll 200 FM couples in a cross-sectional study over 12 months. Congratulations to Dr. Lyons!