It can have serious complications including severe, long-lasting pain. CSP is evaluating a vaccine that may prevent shingles. If effective, routine vaccination of older people could prevent this disease and its potentially devastating consequences. A CSP study is investigating treatment to prevent the development of cirrhosis in patients with alcohol-related liver disease . If successful, it will provide a simple, effective treatment which will result in substantial savings in suffering and health care costs.
Patients undergoing dialysis often develop complications such as anemia.
A drug called erythropoietin combats this anemia, but is very costly. A CSP study is investigating an alternative method of administering the drug that may allow lower doses to be effective. Among the complications of diabetes is diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to blindness. CSP is planning a trial of a telemedicine system that will make it easier for patients with diabetes to get their eyes checked regularly. With the telemedicine system, a sophisticated eye exam can be performed by a technician and the results sent electronically to a central hospital for reading - avoiding the need to travel to a specialized center.