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| |  H. Pylori Educational Program For Physicians Treating Ulcer Patients INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 3, 1996 -- Boehringer Mannheim Corporation (BMC), a world leader in medical diagnostics, today introduced the AccuStart H. Pylori Educational Program, a first-of-its-kind program designed to provide much-needed information on H. pylori infection, diagnosis and eradication options to physicians and ulcer patients. H. pylori is widely recognized by the National Institute of Health (NIH), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the worldwide medical community as the principal cause of gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. A Class One carcinogen, H. pylori is also linked to Gastric (or, stomach) cancer, the second-most common cancer in the world. H. pylori causes the majority of more than 5 million cases of peptic ulcer disease, a chronic inflammation of the stomach and duodenum (the upper part of the small intestine), each year and as many as 20% of all Americans at some time in their lives. In addition, H. pylori causes an estimated 20 million cases of chronic gastritis (an inflammation of the mucosal lining of the stomach) in the U.S. It is estimated that one in three people world-wide are infected with H. pylori, yet a startling number of individuals are unaware of its presence or health risks. A national survey conducted in 1994 by The American Digestive Health Foundation points to significant public misconceptions about ulcers. The study found that nearly 90% of ulcer sufferers and people considered at risk for ulcer disease have never heard of H. pylori. The survey also found that 90% of people with stomach disorders believe stress or worry causes ulcers; nearly 60% believe diet causes ulcers. In 1994, the NIH declared war on H. pylori, recommending that all ulcer patients, regardless of whether their ulcer was new or recurrent, be tested for this dangerous and elusive bacteria. In response, several diagnostic tests and treatment regimes have been developed, offering physicians and patients a battery of choices. Yet a considerable amount of confusion still persists over the cause of ulcers and the most effective diagnostic and treatment options. In response, Boehringer Mannheim Corporation has developed a comprehensive, first-of-its-kind educational program to complement its AccuStat H. pylori Rapid Assay diagnostic kit. The program is being announced to physicians, for the first time, at the American Academy of Family Practitioners Conference which is being held in New Orleans, Louisiana October 3-6, 1996. The first educational program of its kind to be developed by a leading diagnostic company and offered, free-of-charge, to interested physicians for educating their patients, the AccuStart H. pylori Educational Program will aim to put H. pylori in perspective through the following elements: -- AccuStart H. pylori Program Brochure outlines the contents and benefits of the educational program; -- AccuStart H. pylori Patient Brochure explains H. pylori and how it causes peptic ulcers and gastritis, the importance of early diagnosis, diagnostic and treatment options, eradication therapy process, medications used, side effects and quality of life issues; -- AccuStart H. pylori Physicians Package includes a white paper on the importance and benefits of early H. pylori diagnosis, complete with a bibliography for additional reading; -- AccuStart H. pylori Rapid Assay Product Brochure includes detailed product features of Boehringer Mannheim's AccuStat H. pylori diagnostic test and usage instructions. "Education is the first and most important step toward improved disease management and a cure," says Mark Crooks of Boehringer Mannheim Corporation. "The AccuStart H. pylori Educational Program is designed to provide physicians and patients with the tools they need to better understand and treat H. pylori infection. With proper education, diagnosis, treatment and care, H. pylori infection can be successfully eradicated, without recurrence, in 90% of all patients. Our goal is to clear up the misconceptions about ulcers and offer realistic solutions and improved quality of life." H. pylori Evidence suggests that H. pylori bacteria is transmitted orally by contact with fecal material, vomit and saliva, and has been isolated in water supplies in some areas. H. pylori can be found worldwide and is even more prevalent in developing countries. Exposure to the bacteria occurs at frequent and unpredictable times during life. H. pylori is estimated to infect about one-third of all Americans. Researchers believe the percentage of people infected with H. pylori rises with age. Once in the body, H. pylori bacteria colonize under the mucous lining of the stomach and generally remain there for life, producing chronic infection. Some level of gastritis (an inflammation of the stomach's mucosal lining due to infection) is present in all H. pylori-infected individuals. In many people, this results in atrophic gastritis later in life, a thinning of the gastric epithelium and a decrease in stomach function. In 10%-20% of infected individuals, this decrease in the stomach lining's ability to regenerate itself results in the formation of an ulcer. The Truth About Ulcers H. pylori has been isolated in up to 90% of patients with duodenal ulcers and 70% of patients with stomach (gastric) ulcers. The most common type of ulcers found in the stomach and duodenum (small intestine) are called peptic ulcers, because they require acid and the enzyme pepsin to form. Peptic ulcers affect over 5 million Americans each year, with approximately 350,000 to 500,000 new cases diagnosed annually in the U.S. Peptic ulcers are characterized by a uniform, gnawing pain in the epigastic area that regularly appears one to three hours after a meal. Peptic ulcer sufferers may also experience dyspepsia (indigestion), heartburn, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Some ulcers, however, may be completely asymptotic until they hemorrhage or perforate the digestive system wall. Peptic ulcers lead to over 600,000 hospitalizations for severe episodes and 5 million visits to doctors offices. The mortality rate associated with ulcers is relatively low, but the NIH estimates that approximately 6,000 people die each year from ulcer-related complications. Ulcers cause enormous disability and lost productivity. More than $5 billion a year is spent on treating peptic ulcer disease in the U.S. alone, and over $10 billion worldwide. Without proper treatment and eradication, the recurrence rate for peptic and duodenal ulcers is high, recurring in up to 70% of patients who receive antisecretory, antacid or ulcer-coating therapy. AccuStat H. pylori Rapid Assay Diagnostic Test AccuStat H. pylori Rapid Assay is the world's first rapid whole-blood test for H. pylori bacteria, offering a state-of-the-art diagnostic tool for improved and more efficient patient and disease management. Using a finger-stick whole blood sample to establish the presence of antibodies to H. pylori in patients presenting with ulcer symptoms, the simple, self-contained and cost-effective test can be used in the doctor's office and gives an accurate result (equivalent to laboratory analysis) within five minutes and without the use of any additional equipment. A non-invasive, cost-effective alternative to traditional biopsy, AccuStat H. pylori Rapid Assay enables doctors to make immediate decisions concerning the management of a patient's ulcer, including the option of prescribing therapy to eradicate H. pylori to prevent ulcer recurrence. The AccuStat H. pylori Rapid Assay (diagnostic kit) is licensed to Boehringer Mannheim Corporation by Cortecs International (Nasdaq: DLFVRY; London: COR; ASX: CRI) under separate agreement, covering Europe and 87 other countries. The Boehringer Mannheim Group is a diversified international healthcare company with net sales of US$3.27 billion in 1995 and nearly 18,000 employees worldwide. In Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Biochemicals the Boehringer Mannheim Group's products, research, patient focused health education and training programs are world leading. The Group is part of Corange Limited, which is privately-held and recorded sales of US$3.944 billion in 1995. Sources: 1. NIH Consensus Statement (Volume 12, Number 1); February 7-9, 1994; "Helicobacter pylori in Peptic Ulcer Disease" 2. Health ResponsAbility Systems, Inc. (America Online); Copyright 1995; Source: National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 3. The Female Patient; Volume 21; July 1996; "Peptic Ulcer Disease Due to Helicobacter Pylori: Management for the Primary Care Physician," by Thomas W. Wang, MD.
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