World's Most Comprehensive Survey of Stroke Experience Launched at European Stroke Conference

World's Most Comprehensive Survey of Stroke Experience Launched at European Stroke Conference

May 18, 2006

    BRUSSELS, Belgium, May 18 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
AstraZeneca and the Stroke Alliance for Europe (SAFE) today
announced the launch of the world's most comprehensive
Global Stroke Survey. The research project, revealed at the
European Stroke Conference (ESC) meeting, will assess the
true burden of stroke for patients and caregivers, with the
first results expected in late 2006.

    Arne Hagen, President of the Stroke Alliance for Europe
(SAFE) said, "We are excited to be partnering with
AstraZeneca on this important initiative. The need for
education about stroke and stroke prevention is
overwhelming -- fifteen million people worldwide suffer a
stroke each year. One in three of these people die, a
further third are left with varying degrees of disability,
and only one third of stroke victims recover without
disability (1). Stroke is a life-shattering event, yet very
few people can recognise the symptoms or understand the
devastating impact stroke can have on patients and
families. We look forward to the results of this Global
Stroke Survey."

    The Global Stroke Survey will be designed to provide
in-depth understanding of the true burden, social
consequences, and functional and emotional distress caused
by stroke around the world. Variations between countries
will also be investigated to build a comparative picture of
standards in stroke care across the globe.

    Dr. Tomas Odergren, Vice President, Global Product
Director, Development at AstraZeneca, commented:
"Stroke is a medical emergency with potentially
devastating consequences if treatment is not sought
immediately. Yet poor understanding of the symptoms of
stroke often means diagnosis and treatment is delayed. Our
hope is that results from this Global Stroke Survey
initiative will deepen our understanding of the burden of
stroke and contribute to better outcomes for stroke
patients in the future."

    The survey will be conducted in France, Germany, Italy,
Spain, UK, Sweden, Australia, China, Canada and the USA. Its
reach will be extensive; a total of 2,400 patients and 2,400
caregivers will be surveyed following recruitment through
medical professionals. A steering committee, consisting of
patient organisations like SAFE and leading stroke experts
will guide the development of the survey.

    AstraZeneca has a firm commitment to stroke research
and awareness, and continues to support scientists,
physicians, and patients with the aim of improving stroke
treatment.

    About AstraZeneca:

    AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare
business engaged in the research, development, manufacture
and marketing of prescription pharmaceuticals and the
supply of healthcare services. It is one of the world's
leading pharmaceutical companies with healthcare sales of
over $23.95 billion and leading positions in sales of
gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience,
respiratory, oncology and infection products.

    AstraZeneca is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability
Index (Global) as well as the FTSE4Good Index.

    For more information, visit
http://www.astrazenecapressoffice.com

    About SAFE:

    The aims and objectives of SAFE, a non-profit-making
organisation, are to promote awareness and understanding of
stroke, to promote prevention, to identify those at risk, to
improve access to appropriate treatment and care, to improve
the quality of life of people affected by stroke and their
families and carers, to promote better access to accurate
and understandable information, to increase the priority
given to stroke by policy and decision-makers and by health
care providers, to promote research on stroke and related
areas and to co-ordinate the efforts of national stroke
patient groups in Europe.

    For more information, visit http://www.safestroke.org/

    References:

    (1). The Atlas of Heart Disease and Stroke, World
Health Organisation, 
         2004. Available at: 
        
http://www.who.int/cardiovascular_diseases/resources/atlas/en/

    For more information, please contact:

     Anne Ferguson, Acting Global PR Manager, 
     AstraZeneca
     Tel:   [phone] or [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

     Harry King, Account Manager, 
     Porter Novelli
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

SOURCE  Global Stroke Survey