CNS

Alcohol Dependence

Alcohol dependence is a serious and chronic disease that affects multiple regions of the brain, providing rationale for the use of medication along with psychosocial support as part of an integrated treatment plan.

Approximately 18 million people in the U.S. abuse alcohol; half of these people are alcohol dependent. An estimated 2.2 million people receive treatment for alcohol problems each year. Alcohol abuse and dependency is an economic burden to society that costs approximately $185 billion annually in the U.S.(1)

Opioid Dependence

Opioid dependence is a serious disease affecting millions of people, yet there are few approved medications available for these patients and no approved long-acting antagonist therapies. In addition to the use of heroin, an illegal opioid, opioid dependence includes the non-medical use of approved opioid analgesics—including prescription pain relievers—and represents a growing public health problem in the U.S.

According to the 2007 U.S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health, it is estimated that more than 1.3 million people aged 18 or older are dependent on pain relievers or heroin.(2)

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a brain disorder that impairs a person's ability to think clearly, relate to others and distinguish between reality and imagination. The disease is marked by positive symptoms (hallucinations and delusions) and negative symptoms (depression, blunted emotions, and social withdrawal), as well by disorganized thinking.

An estimated 2.4 million Americans suffer from schizophrenia. Worldwide, it is estimated that one person in every 100 develops the disease.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive disorder, is characterized by debilitating mood swings ranging from extreme highs (mania) to extreme lows (depression).

An estimated 5.7 million adults in the U.S. and 27 million people worldwide suffer from bipolar disorder.(3,4)

Pain and Opioid-Induced Constipation
Opioids are a common and effective treatment for managing chronic pain. Many studies indicate that a high percentage of patients receiving opioids are likely to experience side effects affecting gastrointestinal motility, which can be debilitating and may diminish patient adherence to pain medication. A pain medication that does not inhibit gastrointestinal motility may provide a unique advantage over current therapies.

According to IMS data, over 200 million prescriptions were written for opioids in the U.S. in 2007.

References:

(1) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Updating Estimates of the Economic Costs of Alcohol and Abuse in the United States: Estimates, Update Methods, and Data; 2000.

(2) SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies. Substance Dependence, Abuse and Treatment Tables; 2003.

(3) Kessler RC, Chiu WT, Demler O, Walters EE. Prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of twelve-month DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R). Archives of General Psychiatry, 2005 Jun;62(6):617-27.

(4) The Global Burden of Disease. World Health Organization, 2003. Available at http://www.who.int/mip/2003/other_documents/en?%20globalburdenofdisease.pdf, accessed July 21, 2008.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic disorder of glucose (sugar) metabolism caused by inadequate production or use of insulin, a hormone produced in specialized cells. Diabetes affects more than 21 million adults in the U.S. and an estimated 246 million adults worldwide.(1,2) Approximately 90-95 percent of those affected have type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death by disease in the U.S. and costs approximately $132 billion per year in direct and indirect medical expenses.(3)

 

References:

 

(1) All About Diabetes." American Diabetes Association. Available at http://www.diabetes.org/about-diabetes.jsp. Accessed June 2, 2008.

 

(2) The International Diabetes Federation Diabetes Atlas. Available at http://www.idf.org/home/index.cfm?unode=3B96906B-C026-2FD3-87B73F80BC22682A. Accessed June 2, 2008.

 

(3) "Direct and Indirect Costs of Diabetes in the United States." American Diabetes Association. Available at http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-statistics/cost-of-diabetes-in-us.jsp. Accessed June 2, 2008.

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by airflow obstruction and loss of expiratory force. COPD comprises mostly smoking-related diseases such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

It is estimated that over 12 million adults in the U.S. have been diagnosed with COPD.(1) Approximately 24 million adults have evidence of impaired lung function, indicating COPD is significantly under-diagnosed.(1) Estimated direct healthcare costs for COPD are in excess of $20 billion.(2)

 

References:

 

(1) "COPD: Are You At Risk?" National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Available at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/copd/campaign-materials/html/copd-atrisk.htm. Accessed October 15, 2008.

 

(2) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Instituates of Health, National Institutes of Hearth, Lung and Blood Institute, Data Fact Sheet; IMS Data.

Autoimmune Disorders

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that most typically affects the small joints in your hands and feet. Unlike the wear-and-tear damage of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis affects the lining of your joints, causing a painful swelling that can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity.

An autoimmune disorder, rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body's tissues. In addition to causing joint problems, rheumatoid arthritis can also affect your whole body with fevers and fatigue.

Approximately 1.8 million Americans suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.