According to THE SAGE GROUP, Almost 3 Million People in India Suffer From Critical Limb Ischemia Caused by Atherosclerotic Peripheral Arterial Disease

ATLANTA--(Business Wire)--
A new analysis published by THE SAGE GROUP concludes that atherosclerotic
peripheral arterial disease (PAD) afflicts over 20 million in India. Both PAD
and CLI represent major and significantly underestimated problems for the Indian
economy and healthcare system.

"Although it is commonly believed that PAD is a `Western` disease with a lower
prevalence in Asian Indians, our research indicates that this is not the case,"
stated Mary L. Yost, author of the report. "PAD appears to afflict Indians at
similar rates as those found in European and U.S. populations in the same age
and risk factor groups," she continued.

"The key factor is age," Yost explained. "Older age is known as one of the most
significant risk factors for both PAD and CLI. India has a much younger
population with an average age of 23 whereas the average age in the U.S. is 35
and in Germany 40."

PAD is also known as peripheral vascular disease (PVD) or peripheral arterial
occlusive disease (PAOD). It is characterized by a reduction of blood flow to
the lower limbs due to atherosclerosis.

In critical limb ischemia blood flow is so inadequate that ulcerations and
gangrene occur. Once PAD has progressed to CLI, the risks of limb loss and
mortality increase. At six months approximately 20% of those with CLI will die;
another 40% will experience amputation.

"CLI represents `end-stage` Peripheral Arterial Disease," explained Ms. Yost.

According to Yost, "Research on the epidemiology of critical limb ischemia
remains sparse. There appears to be little or no population-based data on the
number of people suffering from PAD and/or CLI in India."

"Our estimates of the number of people suffering from PAD and CLI in India are
based on the `Diabetes Method,` which we previously employed in Western Europe
and the United States," Ms. Yost continued. "In the absence of large-scale,
population-based studies, we believe that the Diabetes Method provides the most
accurate assessment of lower limb disease prevalence," Yost declared.

"The Diabetes Method begins with segmenting the population by age and glucose
status, calculating the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in each
glucose category and finally the prevalence of critical ischemia by PAD and
glucose status," explained Ms. Yost.

With 41 million diabetics, India has become known as the `Diabetic Capital of
the World.`

"Because diabetics represent 60% to 80% of CLI patients, we believe that India
may unfortunately be on the path to becoming the Critical Limb Ischemia
Capital," Ms. Yost concluded.

Critical limb ischemia can also be caused by Buerger`s Disease (thromboangiitis
obliterans or TAO) a non-atherosclerotic, occlusive inflammatory disease that
most commonly affects the small and medium sized arteries, veins and nerves in
the upper and lower extremities. Approximately 40% of patients who continue to
smoke will require an amputation.

According to Yost, "Compared with PAD, Buerger`s Disease is relatively uncommon
in India. We estimate that fewer than 400,000 cases of critical limb ischemia
are caused by Buerger`s Disease."

The report titled `India: Peripheral Arterial Disease, Thromboangiitis
Obliterans and Critical Limb Ischemia Epidemiology and Markets` is the third in
a series published on CLI. The first report focused on CLI epidemiology in the
United States; the second focused on CLI in the 15 major countries of Western
Europe.

The India report analyzes the epidemiology of PAD, TAO and CLI in India
including the prevalence of major risk factors; tobacco use, hypertension,
dyslipidemia and diabetes in the Indian population. The number of people with
PAD, TAO and CLI is projected for the 2008-2015 periods. Market analysis
includes the number of patients and limbs diagnosed and treated for each disease
category. An overview of Indian demographics as well as the economic and
healthcare system is also provided.

About THE SAGE GROUP

THE SAGE GROUP, a research and consulting company, specializes in
atherosclerotic disease in the lower limbs, specifically PAD (Peripheral
Arterial Disease), CLI (Critical Limb Ischemia) and ALI (Acute Limb Ischemia).

For additional information visit www.thesagegroup.us.

The Sage Group, Atlanta
Harrington Witherspoon, 404-816-0746
witherspoon@thesagegroup.us

Copyright Business Wire 2009