Type 2 Diabetes or Heart Disease? Overweight? We may have a clinical research study for you.

We are currently conducting a research study of an investigational medication designed for weight loss.  The purpose of the research study is to evaluate the investigational medication for weight loss in patients with heart disease and/or type 2 diabetes.  The trial could last up to 4 years and consists of up to 14 office visits (including screening visit). 

If you: 

-          Are a man at least 45 years of age or a woman at least 50 years of age

AND

-          Have Type 2 Diabetes AND high blood pressure or high cholesterol for which you are taking medication or you smoke

AND/OR

-          Have a history of heart disease, such as a heart attack, angina, coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, stent placement or angioplasty

You may be interested in learning more about this research study.  Study participants will receive study medication, study-related care and as well as participate in a weight management program.  All study-related care is provided at no cost.  Financial compensation up to $40.00 per study visit is provided for time and travel. 

Learn more now at http://www.pmgweightlossstudy.com/

May is Asthma Awareness Month

If you're a person living with asthma, a friend, family member, co-worker or health care professional, take a moment to learn more about asthma by viewing an educational video from the American Lung Association.

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that makes it harder to move air in and out of your lungs. There is no cure for asthma; however, it can be managed so you can live a normal, healthy life. Asthma causes airways in your lungs to become inflamed which makes them extra sensitive to things you're exposed to in the environment such as dust, smoke, pet dander and other allergens. Asthma can also be triggered by illnesses like the common cold or flu. When someone with asthma is exposed to a trigger, the insides of the airways make extra mucus and swell even more making breathing even harder. This is referred to as an asthma attack.

The exact cause of asthma is unknown but is influenced by family history, allergies, respiratory infections during childhood and environmental factors like irritants and pollution.

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


PMG RESEARCH OF WILMINGTON AND PMG RESEARCH OF WINSTON-SALEM: THE FIRST MEDICAL CENTERS IN NORTH CAROLINA TO IMPLANT INVESTIGATIONAL DEVICE TO TREAT OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

Winston-Salem, NC, Friday, February 3, 2012 – Two sites in the PMG Research network, PMG Research of Wilmington and PMG Research of Winston-Salem, implanted the Apnex® Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation (HGNS®) System in a patient to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), becoming the first medical centers in North Carolina to perform this procedure. The patients are participating in a FDA-approved clinical study. The study is sponsored by Apnex Medical, Inc.

“The Apnex HGNS System is anticipated to significantly reduce the number of times a person’s breathing is interrupted each night, in people that suffer from OSA. This new treatment offers hope to people who have not been successfully treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices" says Douglas Lee, MD, from Wilmington Health and lead clinical trial investigator for PMG Research of Wilmington. "We are excited to be part of this important study”, explained Jason Thomason, MD, from Salem Chest Specialists and lead clinical trial investigator at PMG Research of Winston-Salem.

ABOUT OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 100 million people worldwide have OSA. In the United States, symptomatic OSA affects 1 in 4 men and 1 in 9 women. It most often occurs when the airway muscles fail to keep the airway open during sleep. Untreated OSA increases the risk of death; as well as stroke, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, heart failure and diabetes. It causes fragmented sleep which leads to excessive daytime sleepiness, resulting in an increased risk of accidents and lost productivity. Current OSA treatments are not always successful or well tolerated.

ABOUT THE APNEX HGNS SYSTEM

The Apnex HGNS System is an implanted medical device that activates muscles of the upper airway to ensure that the airway remains open during sleep. During sleep the system monitors the patient’s breathing and delivers mild stimulation to the hypoglossal nerve, the nerve that controls the tongue. As the nerve is stimulated, the tongue gently moves forward to keep the airway open. The stimulation is timed to a patient’s own breathing pattern. The device automatically turns on when the patient is sleeping, and turns off when the patient is awake.

ABOUT THE APNEX CLINICAL STUDY

The purpose of the Apnex Clinical Study is to determine whether the Apnex HGNS System is a safe and effective treatment for OSA in patients who have not received lasting benefit from CPAP or other OSA treatments. The study is being performed by sleep specialists at clinical study centers throughout the U.S. and Australia.

The Apnex Clinical Study is now enrolling patients. People who are interested in learning if they might qualify for the study can call 1-888-975-3370 or go to http://www.sleepapneatrial.com/.

Caution: The Apnex HGNS System is an investigational device and is limited by Federal (or United States) law to investigational use only.


ABOUT PMG RESEARCH

PMG Research, Inc. is an Integrated Site Network based in Winston-Salem, NC. The staff and physicians at PMG Research have contributed to the development of numerous medications, medical devices and vaccines. PMG’s mission is to provide unparalleled service to their clinical trial participants and pharmaceutical sponsors. Visit PMG Research at http://www.pmg-research.com/.

Diabetes Medication Widely Studied in PMG Network Receives FDA Approval!

BYDUREON (exenatide extended release for injectable suspension) just received FDA approval.  Special thanks to all of the participants in these clinical trials as well as every PMG site! 

BYDUREON is the first and only treatment for adults with Type 2 Diabetes that delivers continuous glycemic control in a single weekly dose.  Learn more about BYDUREON HERE...

Birth Control Patch Studied at PMG Ready for FDA Review

Agile Therapeutics announced that clinical trials are complete for their combination hormonal contraceptive patch and the product is ready for FDA review in 2012. We will keep you posted on the progress of approval of the patch.  Thanks to all of the participants, PMG sites, and staff that contributed to this major milestone for Agile's low-dose birth control patch.  Read more about Agile's news here.

Sarah Call Gives Back to Wake Med and the MS Society

Sarah Call, Clinical Research Coordinator at PMG Research of Raleigh, showed her holiday spirit and put her Best Foot Forward by stepping up to fill in for the flautist who called in sick at the last minute for the Wake Med Hospital Holiday Music Concert.  The group was led by Sheila DeBastiani, a friend of PMG, who is involved with Wake Med's Clinical Trials Department.  Ira David Wood, III, Executive Director of Theatre in the Park in Raleigh, spoke at the event.  Check out Sarah in the video above!

Sarah volunteered her time with the Eastern North Carolina Multiple Sclerosis National Chapter this year.  Sarah shared her story of service with me and wanted to share it with you....

"My aunt has Multiple Sclerosis and I have volunteered for the past two years with the MS Scholarship Committee for the Eastern North Carolina MS National Chapter. For my community service day in 2011, I spent the day at the Chapter helping to complete patient surveys. The Eastern NC chapter has a unique program that individuals across the Eastern Carolinas can apply for financial aid for food, rent, utilities, and necessities. My role was to call anyone who had received financial aid and poll them on customer service and how user friendly the financial aid service was, and if the financial aid was able to alleviate their temporary financial troubles. The surveys had to be completed by the end of the year, and the MS Chapter had just lost their intern, so they definately needed the extra hand! One man that I spoke with, who's in a nursing home, was able to use the service to repair his wheelchair. The MS Chapter helped one woman from losing her home and another to buy clothes for her children for school. I learned that people are so grateful for even the smallest amount.  Everyone I spoke to was so grateful. It was exciting to see another corporation using the 'Best Foot Forward' policies and then going back to ensure that their customer service was up to par. Thank you for the opportunity to spend a day at the National MS Chapter!"

Great job Sarah on contributing your time and talents, and putting your Best Foot Forward to such a great cause!

PMG of Winston-Salem's TC Deluca Gives Back

TC Deluca, a Senior Clinical Research Coordinator in Winston-Salem, used her community service day this year volunteering with the Challenger Division of Little League.  Here is TC's story of service.....

"I used my service day to go to Williamsport, PA with my husband to volunteer at the Challenger Division Championship Game in August.  The Challenger Division of Little League is designed to offer the opportunity to play Little League baseball to players who are physically and mentally disabled.  My husband and I run the Challenger Division League at SW Forsyth Little League in Clemmons, NC and have done so for the last 5 years.  We have approximately 50 kids who come to play ball ever Saturday during the Spring Season.  Our kids range in age from 3-22 and represent a variety of special needs including Autism, Down's Syndrome, and Cerebral Palsy.  We have quite a few players who are confined to wheelchairs so must use a walker to get around the bases.  The reason we went to Williamsport this year is that our team has been invited to play in the Little League World Series in Williamsport in 2012!"

Great work TC!!!  Learn more about the Challenger Division of Little League here.