Thursday, 29 June 2023
The results of a clinical trial have shown that a drug commonly used for patients with bleeding disorders has the potential to be used to lessen the side effects of blood-thinning drugs for patients who have experienced a stroke.
Researchers from the University of Nottingham and Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust assessed the suitability of Desmopressin to be used in larger trials to help reduce the number of people who die or are disabled after intracerebral haemorrhage. The results from the DASH trial, which was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), have been published in The Lancet Neurology.
Approximately 3 million deaths each year are due to spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage worldwide and there is currently no proven effective drug treatment. Researchers estimate that two-thirds of survivors are left dependent on others and a quarter of patients were taking antiplatelet drugs at the time of incident.
The results of the DASH trial are an important step towards assessing whether desmopressin might reduce the high risk of death or disability from intracerebral haemorrhage worldwide.
Patients from 10 hospitals across the UK, who had suffered an intracerebral haemorrhage while taking antiplatelet drugs, took part in the clinical trial. One group were given Desmopressin whilst a second group was given a ‘dummy drug’.
Dr Michael Desborough, Department of Clinical Haematology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Intracerebral haemorrhage for people taking antiplatelet drugs leads to thousands of deaths every year. Unfortunately, at present there are no treatments available. The results of the DASH trial are an important step towards assessing whether desmopressin might reduce the high risk of death or disability from intracerebral haemorrhage worldwide.”
Professor Nikola Sprigg, Stroke Trials Unit, University of Nottingham, added: “Whether Desmopressin reduces the number of people who die or are disabled after intracerebral haemorrhage is an important question to answer. These findings support the need for a definitive, large-scale trial to determine if desmopressin improves outcomes in patients with intracerebral haemorrhage on antiplatelet drug therapy.”
A full copy of the paper ‘Desmopressin for patients with spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage taking antiplatelet drugs (DASH): a UK-based, phase 2, randomised, placebo-controlled, multicentre feasibility trial’ doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(23)00157-6, can be found here.
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For further information, please visit the DASH website or contact Adam Mallaby, Media Relations Manager at the University of Nottingham, on +44 (0)115 748 5719 or adam.mallaby@nottingham.ac.uk
Adam Mallaby - Media Relations Manager for the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (Maternity Cover)
Email: adam.mallaby@nottingham.ac.uk
Phone: 0115 748 5719
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About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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