International ADHD in substance use disorders prevalence study.

Dr Van Hout has been invited by the ICASA network and IASP research team [Drs Geurt van de Glind; Trimbos Institute, The Netherlands; Dr Pieter-Jan Carpentier, ICASA; Josep Antoni Ramos-Quiroga, University of Barcelona, Spain, Professor Dr Frances Levin, University of Columbia, New York, USA and Professor Dr. Wim van den Brink, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands] to undertake the research protocol for Ireland as part of this European study of the prevalence of ADHD in adult patients referred for treatment of addiction problems. The research team at Waterford Institute of Technology, School of Health Sciences will undertake this national study as part of the International Collaboration on ADHD and Substance Abuse [ICASA] â?~International ADHD in Substance Use Disorders Prevalence Studyâ?T [IASP study]. The International Collaboration on ADHD and Substance Abuse [ICASA] will provide Dr Van Hout and her team with full support from ICASA of the measurement instruments available and a central database at the University of Amsterdam, and will undergo training for procedures for data capture from Dr van de Glind, Trimbos Institute, The Netherlands. Eight European countries (Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Switzerland and Hungary) USA and Australia have already participated in the first phase of the IASP study, which will close in September 2011. Over 2500 Substance Use Disorder [SUD] patients were sampled with approximately 38% scoring positive on the ADHD screener (ASRS). Of these 2500 patients over 1000 patients were evaluated on ADHD, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Anti-Social Personality and Borderline Personality Disorder. A preliminary estimate of the prevalence of ADHD in SUD treatment seeking patients was recorded at 20 %. The second phase of study [IASP 2011] will commence in September 2011 for countries including Ireland, South Africa, Egypt and Brazil. Dr Van Hout has also been invited to partake in a systematic review paper on the risk factors for development of SUD in children/adolescents with ADHD in collaboration with the ICASA foundation.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

Rabies - it can be a fatal bite

Rabies is a preventable disease, but it kills up to 55,000 people each year. Therefore on World Rabies Day, 28 September 2011, the Public Health Agency wants to raise awareness and understanding about the importance of seeking medical advice on whether the country or countries people are visiting require vaccination against this serious disease.Rabies is transmitted to humans mainly by the bite of an infected animal (commonly a dog, but can be spread by other mammals including cats and monkeys). It can also be spread through a scratch, or by the animal licking a cut or a wound and saliva from the infected animal getting into the eyes, mouth or nose. It is impossible to tell just by looking at an animal if they are infected, therefore while visiting other countries it is best to avoid touching animals, especially strays.Dr Michael Devine, Consultant in Health Protection, PHA, said: "Rabies is an acute viral infection which is almost certainly fatal. The infection causes inflammation of the brain and symptoms usually start 2-8 weeks after exposure. Early symptoms include headache, fever and anxiety; progressing to acute pain, violent uncontrolled movements, spasms of the swallowing muscles making it impossible to drink and respiratory failure."People may be used to thinking about rabies when they go to more exotic locations like Asia and Africa, but it can also be present closer to home, such as in some eastern European countries. So it is always best to play it safe and avoid animals, especially strays."Dr Devine continued: "If you are bitten by an animal while abroad it is important to clean the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately, even if you have been previously immunised, as treatment must be given to attempt to reduce the risk of developing the disease - treatment works best if initiated as soon as possible. Rabies vaccination is very effective - almost 100%. Booster doses may be required after one year and then every 2-5 years for those at continued risk."