TILDA

Research led by Dr. Catriona Murphy (HRB ICE Research Fellow) of TILDA and published in BMJopen examines the extent to which statins are used by adults (50-64 years) at high risk of cardiovascular disease compared to European clinical guidelines.

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) recently published a health technology assessment which finds that a national screening programme for atrial fibrillation for over 65s in primary care would likely be cost-effective in Ireland.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) seen in general practice and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Ireland. Screening aims to detect the risk of stroke in an individual as early as possible.

According to a recent report from the Growing Up In Ireland survey, grandparents play a role in looking after one-third of infants in childcare, while an Ipsos MRBI Family Values poll a few months ago showed that grandparents were the most utilised source of childcare (42pc) for working parents.

Using data from TILDA researchers from Trinity College Dublin, St James’s Hospital, Dublin and three UK Universities have discovered a significant link between serious falls causing injury in older men and a particular group of commonly used medicines. Many medicines which are commonly prescribed for older people for bladder problems, depression, psychosis, insomnia, and respiratory problems, have anti-cholinergic effects. The medications affect the brain by blocking a key chemical called acetylcholine which is involved in passing messages between nerve cells.

Researchers specialising in ageing in persons with an intellectual disability at Trinity College Dublin have just begun a new study to examine if cognitive training for adults with Down syndrome can have a protective effect for healthy ageing. The study is being conducted in the context of a growing concern by the researchers involved regarding levels of dementia in an ageing Down syndrome population in Ireland and varying standards of care, support and diagnostic pathways around the country.

Almost half of Irish people with high blood pressure are unaware of their condition, a new study has found.

Furthermore many of those who are taking medication still do not have normal blood pressure control.

The study was carried out by researchers at the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), a national study of over 8,000 people aged 50 and older. This research is being lead by a team at Trinity College Dublin (TCD). Read more here.