THE SAGE GROUP Commends the Launch of the National Peripheral Arterial Disease Awareness Campaign “Stay in Circulation: Take Steps to Learn About P.A.D.”

ATLANTA, September 20, 2006–(BUSINESS WIRE–Launched September 19, 2006 by the P.A.D. Coalition in partnership with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health, the Stay in Circulation Campaign provides resources and tools for informing Americans about the risks, symptoms and treatment of peripheral arterial disease (abbreviated P.A.D. or PAD).

“The launch of this national campaign is the catalyst, which in combination with ongoing programs, is expected to transform PAD from a misunderstood and ignored orphan of medicine to a hot topic in health care,” stated Mary L. Yost, President of THE SAGE GROUP. Ongoing education, awareness and screening programs include those sponsored by Legs for Life®, the American Vascular Association and the Vascular Disease Foundation.

“PAD is significantly underestimated, underdiagnosed and undertreated,” continued Yost. “However, this is changing and we believe that PAD will be recognized as a major and growing health and economic problem. Industry, especially the medical device industry, has already focused on atherosclerotic lower limb disease as a significant market opportunity.”

“Advances in the basic knowledge of the atherosclerotic process in the lower limbs, an improved understanding of peripheral disease, as well as developments in the cardiovascular arena, have fueled a recent wave of technological innovation,” contends Yost. “The 2004 and 2005 introduction of several new endovascular therapies enabled less invasive and potentially more effective treatment of femoropopliteal and tibial disease, especially in patients suffering from critical limb ischemia (CLI),” she elaborated.

PAD, also known as peripheral vascular disease (PVD), is characterized by a reduction of blood flow to the lower limbs due to atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a disease in which the walls of the arteries thicken and harden as a result of the build-up of fatty deposits (plaque) on their inner lining.

Although the most commonly recognized symptom is intermittent claudication (IC) or pain in the leg when walking which disappears at rest, one of the misconceptions is that IC is synonymous with PAD and that all PAD patients experience this symptom. According to Yost, “In reality, less than 25% suffer from claudication.”

“Another misconception is that PAD is a male disease,” declared Ms. Yost. “Unfortunately for women, this is incorrect. A number of recent studies have shown that PAD is as common in women as in men. However, in women the symptoms are different. Women tend to have the more subtle symptoms of decreased leg strength, instability and impaired mobility rather than IC.”

PAD is not just a leg problem. PAD is a marker for severe systemic atherosclerosis as evidenced by the high morbidity and mortality. Research has shown that within 5 years approximately 50% will experience a cardiovascular event (defined as a heart attack or stroke) and 30% of these will be fatal. This 5-year mortality rate is higher than that of breast cancer, coronary artery disease and stroke. Both morbidity and mortality increase with the severity of the disease.
About THE SAGE GROUP

THE SAGE GROUP, a research and consulting company, specializes in disease in the lower limbs. Current research focuses on atherosclerotic disease, specifically PAD (Peripheral Arterial Disease), CLI (Critical Limb Ischemia) and ALI (Acute Limb Ischemia).

Recent publications include Peripheral Arterial Disease Endovascular Market Analysis by Vascular Territory, Acute Limb Ischemia a Market of Multiple Therapies and Multiple Procedures and Peripheral Arterial Disease a Significant Opportunity for Interventional Therapies.

For additional information visit www.thesagegroup.us.

SOURCE: THE SAGE GROUP