Increasing Awareness of Anemia Associated with Chronic Kidney Disease

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 25 Jun 2004 - 11:00 PDT


When basketball superstar Alonzo Mourning was diagnosed with kidney disease three years ago, he faced the toughest challenge of his life. What he didn't realize was that he was facing two opponents: his kidney disease, and the debilitating anemia that strikes millions of Americans with serious, chronic diseases.

More than 20 million Americans suffer from chronic kidney disease (CKD).1 Today, Mourning visits CKD patients at the Miami Kidney Group to talk about his struggle with anemia and his continued involvement in Rebound from Anemia, a national campaign developed to educate and motivate the millions of people at risk for anemia to seek diagnosis and treatment. Rebound from Anemia is sponsored by Ortho Biotech Products, L.P., marketer of PROCRIT® (Epoetin alfa) and supporter of Mourning's "Zo's Fund for Life."

"Once my doctor began treating my kidney disease, my greatest challenge was the constant exhaustion," said Mourning. "Fortunately, my doctor explained that anemia was causing my exhaustion and that people with serious illnesses, like kidney disease, may be at increased risk for anemia."

"He also explained that anemia is a treatable condition and prescribed PROCRIT®, which treated my anemia, increased my red blood cell count and helped me get back to doing the things I enjoy," added Mourning.

Anemia is a debilitating condition that occurs when the body does not have enough red blood cells, which carry oxygen. Oxygen acts like fuel for the body, providing energy for muscles and organs to work. Common symptoms include extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, decreased ability to concentrate and sleeplessness.

Survey shows exhaustion most frequent and significant symptom According to a national, online Harris Interactive® survey of 520 men and women suffering from CKD who have never undergone dialysis, more than three-quarters (76 percent) of CKD patients surveyed experienced physical exhaustion as a result of their illness. Additionally, nearly half of the patients surveyed said exhaustion was the symptom that had the greatest impact on their daily lives (47 percent) and forty-nine percent believed that their physical exhaustion was the greatest barrier keeping their lives from returning to normal.

CKD patients often develop anemia and related fatigue.

Physical exhaustion may be a symptom of anemia. Nearly three-quarters (74 percent) of chronic kidney disease patients surveyed have been tested for anemia since they were diagnosed with their illness. Of those tested, more than half (54 percent) have been diagnosed with the condition.1 "For many patients with chronic kidney disease, it's exhaustion, rather than pain or other symptoms, that keeps them from getting the most out of their lives," said Dr. Victor Richards, nephrologist, Miami Kidney Group. "Unfortunately, many patients don't know that this exhaustion may be caused by anemia, a treatable condition." Ortho Biotech Products, L.P., is making available a free brochure by calling 1-800-251-0627 or by visiting www.procrit.com and clicking on the Rebound from Anemia logo. It includes valuable information about anemia and its symptoms, as well as tools for managing anemia, including diet, medication and energy-saving tips.

About PROCRIT®

PROCRIT® stimulates red blood cell production and has a protein sequence virtually identical to the body's naturally occurring erythropoietin, which is produced in healthy kidneys. When more red blood cells are produced, more oxygen is carried through the body, which may increase energy levels.

PROCRIT® is proven safe and effective. PROCRIT® has been used in more than two million people across four indications. PROCRIT® is indicated to treat anemia in patients who have chronic kidney disease and are not on dialysis. Your doctor should carefully monitor your blood pressure and hemoglobin for rapid increases, which should be avoided. PROCRIT® is available by prescription only and is injected by your health care provider.

For full U.S. Prescribing Information and additional information on PROCRIT® and anemia, please refer to the enclosed Prescribing Information or visit
http://www.procrit.com/common/prescribing_information/PROCRIT/PDF/ProcritBooklet.pdf

About Ortho Biotech Products, L.P.

In 1990, Ortho Biotech Products, L.P., was established in Raritan, NJ. Since that time, Ortho Biotech Products, L.P., and its worldwide affiliates have earned a global reputation for researching, manufacturing and marketing innovative health care products that enhance the quality of patients' lives. Ortho Biotech Products, L.P., now located in Bridgewater, NJ, is an established market leader in Epoetin alfa therapy for anemia management across multiple indications and focuses its research and marketing efforts in four clinical areas: oncology, nephrology, immunology and surgery.

About the Survey

The survey results are based on interviews with a national online sample of 520 adults aged 18 and older who suffer from chronic kidney disease and are not on dialysis.1 Interviews were conducted in January and February 2002 by Harris Interactive®. For results based on samples of this size, one can say with 95 percent confidence that the error attributable to sampling and other random effects could be plus or minus 4.3 percentage points.2

1 Harris Interactive® Survey, March 2002, "Anemia of Chronic Illness," p.23.
2 Harris Interactive® Survey, March 2002, "Anemia of Chronic Illness," p.5.

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