DUBLIN and CHARLESTON, S.C., Nov.
14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Allergan, Inc. (NYSE: AGN), in
partnership with the National Association For Continence (NAFC),
today announced the results of a new survey that revealed the
impact of overactive bladder (OAB) and related symptoms on those
living with the condition, as well as the extremes to which people
will go to cope with or hide their symptoms. While commonly
believed to be a result of weakened pelvic muscles following
childbirth or just part of the aging process, the survey found that
more than a quarter of the 100 respondents were diagnosed at the
age of 34 or younger, and nine percent were diagnosed before 24
years of age.
"People can start experiencing symptoms of OAB at an early age,
learning to settle for a lifetime of silently struggling with an
uncomfortable condition," says Steven
Gregg, PhD, Executive Director of the NAFC. "Many who suffer
live in constant fear of their next accident, and feel the need to
plan activities around access to a bathroom to hide symptoms from
friends, family or colleagues."
The survey found that 86 percent of respondents experience OAB
symptoms multiple times a day. Yet, despite reported frequency and
impact of symptoms, 40 percent of the respondents have either
discontinued treatment or never been treated for OAB. That may be
due in large part to the fact that nearly half of all survey
respondents would feel more comfortable discussing their OAB
symptoms if his or her doctor brought it up first.
"November is Bladder Health Awareness Month, and we want to help
people living with OAB realize that talking to their doctor is
important in helping to get a diagnosis and learn about treatment
options," says Mitchell Brin, SVP of
drug development, Allergan. "No single treatment is right for
everyone. For people living with OAB who are cycling from one
treatment to the next, there are several new treatment options that
may not have been discussed."
Other key findings from the survey of 100 people living with
symptoms or who have been diagnosed with OAB include:
- 66 percent say that OAB symptoms – the sudden urge to urinate,
incontinence or leaking, frequent urination, and waking up at night
to urinate – are a daily disruption.
- Of the 86 percent who experience symptoms multiple times a day,
32 percent report symptoms 6-8 times per day and 12 percent
experience symptoms at least every hour.
- OAB also affects emotional health. Survey respondents
report feeling moderately-to-extremely frustrated (85 percent), and
embarrassed (81 percent) because of living with OAB.
Seek an accurate diagnosis, and find out about treatment options
that can be used to treat OAB. To learn more about OAB and the
available treatment options, visit www.dontsettle.com.
About the Survey
The survey, titled "Living with Overactive Bladder," was
conducted by Allergan and the NAFC to gain a better understanding
of the challenges faced by individuals who experience OAB and the
impact it has on daily life and, ultimately, to raise awareness of
the prevalence of the condition. The survey was open from
September 26 – October 23, 2017. It included 100 respondents,
recruited via the NAFC website (https://www.nafc.org/). All
responses were anonymous.
About the National Association for Continence (NAFC)
The National Association for Continence is a national, private,
non-profit 501(C) organization dedicated to improving the quality
of life of people with incontinence, voiding dysfunction, and
related pelvic floor disorders. NAFC's purpose is to be the leading
source for public education and advocacy about the causes,
prevention, diagnosis, treatments, and management alternatives for
incontinence.
About Allergan plc
Allergan plc (NYSE: AGN), headquartered in Dublin,
Ireland, is a bold, global
pharmaceutical company and a leader in a new industry model –
Growth Pharma. Allergan is focused on developing,
manufacturing and commercializing branded pharmaceutical, device,
biologic, surgical and regenerative medicine products for patients
around the world.
Allergan markets a portfolio of leading brands and
best-in-class products for the central nervous system, eye care,
medical aesthetics and dermatology, gastroenterology, women's
health, urology and anti-infective therapeutic categories.
Allergan is an industry leader in Open Science, a
model of research and development, which defines our approach to
identifying and developing game-changing ideas and innovation for
better patient care. With this approach, Allergan has
built one of the broadest development pipelines in the
pharmaceutical industry with 65+ mid-to-late stage pipeline
programs currently in development.
Allergan's success is powered by our more than 18,000
global colleagues' commitment to being Bold for Life. Together, we
build bridges, power ideas, act fast and drive results for our
customers and patients around the world by always doing what is
right.
With commercial operations in approximately 100
countries, Allergan is committed to working with
physicians, healthcare providers and patients to deliver innovative
and meaningful treatments that help people around the world live
longer, healthier lives every day.
For more information, visit Allergan's website
at www.Allergan.com.
1 Overactive bladder (OAB). Urology Care Foundation
website. www.urologyhealth.org/urology/index.cfm?article=112.
Accessed October 27, 2017.
CONTACTS:
Investors:
Daphne Karydas
(862) 261-8006
Media:
Mark Marmur
(862) 261-7558
Lisa Kim
(714) 246-3843
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SOURCE Allergan plc