Osteoarthritis Sufferers Report Severe Decline
In Activity Following Onset of Disease
KALAMAZOO, Mich., Sept. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Osteoarthritis (OA)
negatively impacts the quality of life for 88 percent of those diagnosed with
the disease, according to survey results released today by Stryker Corporation
(NYSE: SYK) and Harris Interactive(R). Joint-pain sufferers spend nearly
one-third of their day, or seven hours, dealing with uncontrolled pain. The
online poll of joint-pain sufferers in the U.S. commissioned by Stryker
further indicates that many OA patients are unable to participate in the most
routine activities and have no choice but to suffer alone, with little help
from family or friends.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030922/NYM047-a
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030922/NYM047-b )
Stryker and golf legend Jack Nicklaus today launched a patient education
campaign to raise awareness among the public of the diminished quality of life
OA patients experience, and to share with OA patients new technology and
treatments that may allow joint pain sufferers to regain mobility and take
back their lives.
"When I saw the survey results I said, 'That was me,'" commented Jack
Nicklaus, who underwent hip replacement surgery in January of 1999. "I'm
amazed at the percentage of people whose experience with joint pain was
similar to mine, and I empathize with what they are going through. Joint pain
affected my everyday activities-from playing with my grandchildren or helping
my wife, to working with my sons or enjoying the outdoors. It wasn't until I
made the choice to get a total hip replacement that I could again live my life
on my own terms, free of hip pain. I certainly hope that other osteoarthritis
patients can learn from my experience and will ask their doctors about the
latest treatments and technologies that might be right for them."
On January 27, 1999, Jack Nicklaus received a Stryker ceramic-on-ceramic
hip as part of a clinical trial, and now, almost five years later, he decided
to serve as the spokesperson for Stryker's patient education campaign.
Stryker's ceramic-on-ceramic hip was the first to receive FDA approval for
sales in the United States in February 2003.
"We are fortunate to have such a well-known patient take part in this
important initiative," said Steve MacMillan, President and Chief Operating
Officer of Stryker Corporation. "We believe Jack's own positive experience
can serve as an inspiration for so many others who suffer from painful and
limiting joint pain. This is a campaign to let people know there are new
state-of-the-art options out there."
Over the next few weeks, Stryker is releasing a series of television
commercials and print advertising featuring Nicklaus. The national patient
education campaign will reach millions of joint-pain sufferers and their
families. Like Nicklaus, Stryker believes many people live in pain and suffer
from diminished quality of life because they are unaware of the latest
advances in joint-replacement.
The Company is also launching a new Web site (www.strykerceramics.com),
where patients can access information on Stryker joint-replacement products,
pain management and questions to ask their doctors. People can also take a
self-test on the site to help them determine if they should seek advice from a
medical professional. Individuals can also use a physician locator to find an
orthopaedic specialist in their area.
Jack's story
Jack Nicklaus, nicknamed "The Golden Bear," is widely considered the
greatest player in golf history, with 100 professional tournament wins
worldwide and a record 20 major championship victories. Although Nicklaus'
longevity matched his brilliant talent, more than 40 years of competitive golf
eventually took its toll on his body. He began to suffer hip problems and
other related injuries, and midway through 1998 Nicklaus had to withdraw
before the British Open and end his streak of 154 consecutive major
championship appearances. Six months later, Nicklaus underwent left-hip
replacement surgery in Boston, agreeing to be a part of the ceramic-on-ceramic
clinical trial. Nicklaus emphasized, "I did not do this for golf; I did this
for my quality of life."
Joint-pain sufferers face challenges in every aspect of their lives
To support the patient education campaign, the Stryker/Harris Interactive
survey sought to evaluate patients' quality of life and interaction with
physicians, assess the effectiveness of current treatments for osteoarthritis,
and identify patient needs and barriers.
According to the Stryker/Harris Interactive survey, 57 percent of patients
believe they led active lives before being afflicted by osteoarthritis, but
only 7 percent of those currently afflicted indicate their lives are active
now.
Other findings include:
-- Of those OA patients whose routine activities are currently limited,
the majority say their condition impacts their ability to work,
exercise or play sports (87 percent), play with children (84 percent),
garden (84 percent), do housework (70 percent), spend time outdoors (67
percent), or perform daily chores (63 percent).
-- Half of all osteoarthritis patients who currently take medication feel
their treatment is only somewhat effective.
Additionally, many OA patients report a lack of understanding and
compassion for their condition among their family members and friends. Among
these related findings:
-- 56 percent say they have no one to help them make decisions on their
condition.
-- 25 percent say family or friends take over household responsibilities
due to their condition.
-- Less than 37 percent state that family or friends accommodate
activities to fit their needs.
-- Only 30 percent state that family help them with their errands and
other obligations.
About the survey
The Stryker/Harris Interactive survey was conducted online among 903
adults age 18+ who were diagnosed with osteoarthritis and suffer from
moderate, somewhat severe, or severe osteoarthritis of hips, knees, lower back
or shoulders. The participants were recruited from the Harris Interactive
Online Chronic Illness Database and panel members were invited by email to
participate. The survey was conducted between August 26, 2003 and September 3,
2003.
Figures for age, gender, race/ethnicity, region, education and household
income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual
proportions in the general population of osteoarthritis sufferers.
"Propensity score" weighting was also used to adjust for respondents'
propensity to be online.
Although this online sample is not a probability sample, in theory, with
probability samples of this size, one could say with 95 percent certainty that
the results have a statistical precision of plus or minus 3.3 percentage
points of what they would be if the entire adult population had been polled
with complete accuracy.
Please visit us at www.strykerceramics.com to learn more about joint pain
or to download a PDF file of the Stryker/Harris Interactive survey results on
joint pain.
About Stryker Corporation
Stryker Corporation develops, manufactures and markets specialty surgical
and medical products, including orthopaedic reconstructive, trauma, spinal and
craniomaxillofacial implants, the bone growth factor osteogenic protein-1,
powered surgical instruments, endoscopic systems, patient care and handling
equipment for the global market, and provides outpatient physical therapy
services in the United States. For more information about Stryker
Corporation, visit www.strykercorp.com. Stryker's orthopaedic implant
division, Stryker Howmedica Osteonics, offers an extensive orthopaedic product
portfolio, including hip, knee and upper extremity reconstructive devices,
bone cement, trauma implants and spine systems.
About Harris Interactive
Harris Interactive (www.harrisinteractive.com) is a worldwide market
research and consulting firm best known for The Harris Poll(R), and for
pioneering the Internet method to conduct scientifically accurate market
research. Headquartered in Rochester, New York, U.S.A., Harris Interactive
combines proprietary methodologies and technology with expertise in
predictive, custom and strategic research. The Company conducts international
research through wholly owned subsidiaries-London-based HI Europe
(www.hieurope.com) and Tokyo-based Harris Interactive Japan-as well as through
the Harris Interactive Global Network of local market- and opinion-research
firms, and various U.S. offices.
SOURCE Stryker Corporation