ATLANTA—(November 12, 2007) –Saint Joseph’s Research Institute (SJRI) and Georgia State University are collaborating on a clinical study aimed at exploring differences between men and women suffering from chronic angina. Nicolas Chronos, MD, president and chief scientific officer at SJRI and Laura P. Kimble, Ph.D., associate professor, Byrdine F. Lewis School of Nursing, Georgia State University are the study’s principal investigators. Saint Joseph’s Hospital is the clinical site for the study. “Research suggests that women suffer greater pain from chronic angina (CAD) than men and women may perceive and manage their symptoms differently,” says Dr. Chronos.
“Chronic angina on daily life physical function – a pilot study of gender differences” involves 50 men and 50 women who will undergo a battery of tests to determine the perceptual difference of how angina influences physical function and daily life. In addition, a subset of 20 men and 20 women will participate in a physical trial where they wear a wrist actigraphy monitor for three days to document daily life physical activity and daily light exposure.
“This study will provide essential data to tailor gender-specific interventions about angina symptom management,’ says Dr. Kimble. “Anything that increases our knowledge of gender differences in cardiovascular disease, the nation’s number one killer, will help us treat out patients more effectively.”
Saint Joseph’s recently established the area’s only heart center dedicated to women. The Saint Joseph’s Heart Center for Women, under the direction of Gina Lundberg, MD, offers women individualized screenings, risk assessments, education and counseling in the prevention of heart disease.
“Women are not simply ‘little men’ when it comes to heart disease,” says Dr. Lundberg. “At the Saint Joseph’s Heart Center for Women, we are offering very specific treatment and guidance based on the known gender differences.”
The clinical study is funded by Georgia State University Research Awards and Administration, results of the study will provide direction toward developing interventions for cardiac patients that are specifically tailored for women and men.
For more information about the chronic angina study, Dr. Laura Kimble at 404-413-1192
