NEW YORK, Feb. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Half of people surveyed* about perceptions of multiple sclerosis (MS) incorrectly believe that MS is a fatal condition, and more than 40 percent mistakenly describe someone with MS as someone in a wheelchair, according to a new nationwide survey. To help dispel these and other myths, The Image of MS exhibit will challenge public perceptions about the disease and encourage those with symptoms of relapsing forms of MS to seek diagnosis and treatment as early as possible.
"When I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS, I didn't start treatment immediately because I didn't feel ill," said Beth (26). "It was when more symptoms developed, that I came to regret that decision. I'd encourage anyone experiencing symptoms to go to their doctor and, if diagnosed, to start treatment as soon as possible." Since beginning treatment two-and-a-half years ago with Betaseron(R) (interferon beta-1b), one of the four primary MS therapies currently available, Beth has remained symptom-free.
Beth, who now is an advocate for early treatment of relapsing forms of MS, is just one of 27 people with MS showcased in a new photographic exhibit that will be on public display at Grand Central Terminal in New York City through February 3, 2006 (visit http://www.imageofms.com ).
From California to New York; ages 19 to 61; men and women all tell their unique stories of how they live with and manage their MS. The exhibit, created by famed photographer Joyce Tenneson, is meant to help shatter many of the myths about MS. "There is grace, courage and hope in the everyday existence of people with MS and I believe that is what we have captured in the Image of MS portraits," says Joyce Tenneson, photographer.
"MS is a potentially disabling disease, so we need to strive to diagnose and treat MS earlier to help halt or slow the damage," said Barry G.W. Arnason, M.D., professor of neurology, James Nelson and Anna Louise Raymond professor, University of Chicago. "Because the first symptoms can be mild, people hesitate to see their doctors, which is why efforts such as the Image of MS are so critical. We need the public to be aware of the early symptoms and understand that treatments available today can help slow disease progression and alleviate symptoms."
About Multiple Sclerosis
MS affects approximately 400,000 people in the US alone, and 2.5 million people worldwide.(1) The cause of MS is unknown, but it is thought to be an autoimmune disease where the body attacks its own central nervous system (brain, spinal cord and optic nerves), potentially causing irreversible damage. This nerve damage causes the symptoms commonly associated with MS. Symptoms of MS vary from person to person and can be unpredictable. Common symptoms include:
-- Fatigue or tiredness -- Double vision or dimness in one or both eyes -- Weakness of one or more limbs -- Numbness and tingling -- Spasticity (stiffness) -- Dizziness -- Slurred speech -- Loss of bladder control
Some people may experience a sudden worsening of an MS symptom, or the appearance of new symptoms. These episodes can last from 24 hours to a number of weeks.
MS typically progresses over time, but early diagnosis and treatment may help slow disease progression, and manage symptoms. With early detection and treatment, many people with relapsing forms of MS may experience a slower decline in their health and continue to lead active lifestyles for longer periods of time.
Christi (42), another participant in The Image of MS photo exhibit, was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS in 1988 when no treatment was available. She benefited from the approval of the first MS treatment in 1993 and today Christi is happy with her progress, "I've been able to do just about everything I did before I was diagnosed with MS."
General Information
The Image of MS is sponsored by Berlex, marketers of Betaseron (interferon beta-1b).
Betaseron is indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis to reduce the frequency of clinical exacerbations. The most commonly reported adverse reactions are lymphopenia, injection site reaction, asthenia, flu-like symptom complex, headache, and pain. Betaseron should be used with caution in patients with depression. Injection site necrosis has been reported in 5 percent of patients in controlled trials. Patients should be advised of the importance of rotating injection sites. Female patients should be warned about the potential risk to pregnancy. Cases of anaphylaxis have been reported rarely. Please see full Prescribing Information for more information.
Berlex, a U.S. affiliate of Schering AG, Germany ; , is committed to addressing unmet medical needs through research and development in the areas of oncology, gastroenterology, women's health, diagnostics and neurology. Berlex also markets diagnostic imaging agents, innovative treatments in the areas of female health care and oncology, as well as specialized therapeutics for life-threatening and disabling diseases of the central nervous system and cardiovascular system. Berlex has business operations in New Jersey, California and Washington states. For more information, please visit http://www.berlex.com .
Certain statements in this press release that are neither reported financial results nor other historical information are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, statements that are predictions of or indicate future events, trends, plans or objectives. Undue reliance should not be placed on such statements because, by their nature, they are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and can be affected by other factors that could cause actual results and Berlex's plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Berlex, Inc. undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information or future events or circumstances or otherwise.
* The Image of MS Survey of 513 consumers age 18+ who indicated that they "know a lot" or "know a little" about MS, conducted by International Communications Research, December 2005
(1) National Multiple Sclerosis Society Web site http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Sourcebook-Epidemiology.asp
Berlex LaboratoriesCONTACT: Kim Schillace of Berlex, kimberly_schillace@berlex.com,+1-973-305-5258; or Shareese Thompson of Ogilvy Public Relations,shareese.thompson@ogilvypr.com, +1-212-880-5308, for Berlex Laboratories
