Sufferers Across A Range of Medical Conditions Often Suffer From Allergies As Well

Uniondale, NY - If you suffer from respiratory, gastro-intestinal or mental illnesses, there is also a good chance that you battle with allergies as well, according to a new analysis conducted by Ipsos-Insight, the global marketing research company. The research from New York-based Ipsos-Insight indicates that:

• Two-thirds (67%) of asthma sufferers also suffer from allergies, compared with only 38% of emphysema sufferers who also fight allergies.
• Approximately one out of two sufferers of various gastro-intestinal conditions also have allergies.
• Half of people with clinical depression (52%) or bipolar disorder (50%) also fight allergies.

These findings come from an analysis of the 2003 Ipsos-Insight Sufferer Panel database, which consists of over 200,000 individuals who have been screened for more than 70 medical conditions. Among the 200,000 panel members are a representative group of 75,600 allergy sufferers. All Panel members have agreed to participate in research projects. Other findings from the analysis include:

• Not all sufferers treat their allergies in the same way. In fact, those who suffer from various respiratory diseases are more likely to treat their allergies with a prescription drug, than are those suffering from mental illnesses or gastro-intestinal conditions. (Please see the following chart)

Overall, (40)% of all allergy sufferers treat allergies only with prescription drugs. The chart below shows the percentage of sufferers of other conditions who also battle allergies, as well as the percentage of these multiple ailment sufferers who treat their allergies only with a prescription drug.

• Groups with certain medical conditions are less likely to suffer from allergies. However those suffering from other ailments who do suffer allergies, are more likely to treat their allergies only with prescription drugs. For example:
  • Of panel members with hypertension (high blood pressure), one in three (35%) also suffer from allergies. Of this 35%, half (53%) treat their allergies with a prescription drug only.
  • Of panel members with high cholesterol, a similar one in three (36%) also suffer from allergies. Of this 36%, half (52%) treat their allergies with a prescription drug only.

For more information on this release, please contact: Bob Shekhdar Ipsos-Insight 516.507.3108 Nancy Forni Ipsos-Insight 516.507.3256