For Release at 5:30 PM PT, Sunday Nov. 11, 2001
For More Information, ContactTammy Cussimanio(404) 633-3777 until Nov. 7(415) 905-1005 Nov. 10 - Nov. 15[email protected]
New treatment for people with connective tissue disease-associated heart and lung problems
Treprostinil, a structural analogue of naturally occurring prostacyclin, has been shown to be safe and effective in the treatment of patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with various forms of connective tissue disease, according to research presented at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting Nov. 10 - 15 in San Francisco, California.
Ninety patients with pulmonary hypertension related to lupus, scleroderma or mixed connective tissue disease received either treprostinil or placebo by continuous subcutaneous infusion as part of a 470 patient clinical trial in pulmonary arterial hypertension. After three months of therapy, patients treated with treprostinil were able to walk significantly further with less shortness of breath than patients receiving placebo. Other outcomes, including high blood pressure within the lung and heart and the ability of patients to get day-to-day activities done, were also positively affected by treprostinil.
Pulmonary hypertension is the leading cause of death and an important cause of decline in day-to-day function and quality of life in limited scleroderma and other connective tissue disorders.
"The improvement in important areas of patient functionality, particularly increasing the ability to exercise with reduction of symptoms, combined with a safer, less invasive drug delivery system with treprostinil, is an important addition to the treatment options for these severely ill patients," said Ronald Oudiz, MD, Director, Liu Center for Pulmonary Hypertension, Research and Education Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and an investigator in the study.
The American College of Rheumatology is the professional organization for rheumatologists and health professionals who share a dedication to healing, preventing disability and curing arthritis and related rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. For more information on the ACR's annual meeting, see http://www.rheumatology.org.
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