Study shows lack of awareness around Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

    November is PAH Awareness Month

    VANCOUVER, Nov. 6 /CNW/ - Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is a
rapidly progressive, degenerative disease that will claim the lives of 40 to
55 per cent of patients within the first two years of diagnosis(1), yet
according to a 2008 consumer awareness survey conducted by Ipsos Reid, almost
two-thirds of Canadians are not familiar with its existence.
    Furthermore, with 87 per cent of the population unable to explain, or
explain with difficulty, the differences between pulmonary arterial
hypertension and systemic hypertension, this could be further indicative of
lower levels of awareness of PAH among Canadians.
    The generality of PAH symptoms combined with the apparent lack of
awareness makes the disease very difficult to diagnose, in turn, preventing
individuals from having a conversation with their doctors.
    "The results of the survey, while not surprising, are disturbing," says
Dr. John T. Granton, Programme Director, Critical Care Medicine, University of
Toronto and Director, Pulmonary Hypertension Programme, University Health
Network. "The first step in diagnosing PAH is recognizing the symptoms, and
this profound lack of awareness may cause a delay in detection. The longer
that PAH goes undiagnosed, there is an increased risk that it will have
devastating effects on a patient's health and quality of life, potentially
causing death within a short period of time."
    Despite the seriousness surrounding the impact of PAH, survey results
show that only 22 per cent of Canadians were able to correctly identify
dizziness as a symptom of PAH, and only 24 per cent of respondents correctly
named fatigue as a symptom.
    "November is PAH Awareness Month, which provides the perfect opportunity
to grow the knowledge base among Canadians and their physicians surrounding
the symptoms, scope and rapid progression of this disease," says Darren Bell,
President of the PH Association of Canada.
    PAH may affect between 2,000 and 10,000 Canadians with approximately 500
new cases being diagnosed each year. PAH is characterized by the narrowing of
blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the lungs. As these arteries
and vessels start to narrow, it becomes more difficult for the heart to pump
blood through them, leading to progressive stress on the heart. If this
narrowing of the blood vessels is left untreated the heart begins to enlarge
and eventually fails.
    Symptoms associated with PAH include unexplained shortness of breath,
chest pain, fatigue, intolerance to exercise, dizziness, fainting and swollen
feet and/or ankles. These symptoms can strike anyone at any time despite age,
gender, or ethnicity.
    With the ability of PAH to touch the life of any Canadian, it may be
disturbing to learn that, according to Ipsos Reid, 44 per cent of the
population see PAH as a disease affecting mainly men over 45 years old, and
only 13 per cent of Canadian believe that PAH can cause fatality within a
short period of time. "These are dangerous misconceptions," says Bell, who in
July, 2007 lost his son, Dylan, 12, to PAH. "If individuals don't believe that
they fit the 'profile' of a PAH sufferer, then they will be indifferent to the
symptoms."
    Early diagnosis and treatment are imperative in helping to stabilize the
progression of PAH. There are several therapies approved for use in Canada for
PAH. Finding the patients, however, is the key, according to Dr. Granton.
"Early intervention may lead to improved outcomes and better quality of life
for patients with PAH. As such, Canadians, and more importantly physicians,
need to arm themselves with the knowledge around PAH and if symptoms continue
to elude common diagnoses, consider PAH as an option."

    About the Survey

    The 2008 Pulmonary Hypertension Consumer Awareness Survey was fielded to
1,000 Canadian adults, 18 plus, using the Canadian Ipsos Reid Express Omnibus,
under the auspices of the PH Association of Canada. The results of the survey
are reliable with a +3.1 per cent margin of error 19 times out of 20. The
interviews were conducted between October 21 and 23, 2008.
    The survey was supported by an unrestricted education grant from Actelion
Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc.

    Summary of Survey Results

    -   Almost two-thirds of respondents were unfamiliar with PAH.
    -   When respondents were asked to identify three common symptoms of PAH
        from a list of 11, two of the three most common answers were
        incorrect (arrhythmia and hypertension at 27 per cent and 26 per cent
        respectively). Of the three correct symptoms, 39 per cent identified
        unexplained shortness of breath, 24 per cent chose fatigue and 22 per
        cent identified dizziness.
    -   87 per cent of those surveyed were either unable or had difficulty
        explaining the difference between regular hypertension and PAH.
    -   Only 13 per cent of respondents correctly identified PAH as a disease
        that can be fatal in a short period of time.
    -   Almost half of the respondents believe that PAH is a disease most
        commonly found in men over the age of 45; only 3 per cent believe
        that children under the age of 18 can be affected.
    -   When asked how to slow the progression of PAH, only 14 per cent of
        respondents correctly identified 'taking medication,' while almost
        half incorrectly cited 'staying active' as the key.

    PH Association of Canada

    The PH Association of Canada is a not-for-profit organization dedicated
to raising awareness and education around the seriousness of Pulmonary
Arterial Hypertension among the general public and health care professionals.
    For more information on PAH, please visit www.phacanada.ca.

    (1) D'Alonzo G, Barst RJ, Ayres SM, et al. Survival in patients with
        primary pulmonary hypertension. Ann. Int. Med 1991;115:343-49).

For further information: For more information about this press release,
or to arrange an interview with a physician or patient spokesperson, please
contact: Chrome Communications, (905) 567-1406: Alon Barmapov, ext. 223, (647)
405-1352, alon@chromecommunications.ca; or Ashley Jennison, ext. 222,
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