BackgroundIn 2011 the Latin America Asthma Insight and Management (LA AIM) survey explored the realities of living with asthma. We investigated perception, knowledge, and attitudes related to asthma among Latin American asthma patients.MethodsAsthma patients aged ≥12 years from four Latin American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela) and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico responded to questions during face-to-face interviews. A sample size of 2,169 patients (approximately 400 patients/location) provided an accurate representation of asthma patients’ opinions. Questions probed respondents’ views on topics such as levels of asthma control, frequency and duration of exacerbations, and current and recent use of asthma medications.ResultsA total of 2,169 adults or parents of children with asthma participated in the LA AIM survey. At least 20% of respondents experienced symptoms every day or night or most days or nights. Although 60% reported their disease as well or completely controlled, only 8% met guideline criteria for well-controlled asthma. 47% of respondents reported episodes when their asthma symptoms were more frequent or severe than normal, and 44% reported seeking acute care for asthma in the past year. Asthma patients in Latin America overestimated their degree of asthma control.ConclusionsThe LA AIM survey demonstrated the discrepancy between patient perception of asthma control and guideline-mandated criteria. Additional education is required to teach patients that, by more closely following asthma management strategies outlined by current guidelines more patients can achieve adequate asthma control.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by progressive dyspnea and exercise limitation and is associated with reduced health-related quality of life. Few clinical studies have evaluated the primary effects of treatment of PAH from the patient perspective. Here, we present the impact of riociguat on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in treatment-naïve patients with PAH. MOTION (NCT02191137) was an open-label, phase 4 trial of riociguat monotherapy in treatment-naïve patients with PAH. The primary endpoint was the change in total score from baseline to Week 24 in the Living with Pulmonary Hypertension (LPH) questionnaire. The Short Form-12 Health Survey and Work Limitations Questionnaire 8 were also utilized to assess PROs. Other secondary endpoints included change from baseline in World Health Organization functional class (WHO FC), 6-min walk distance (6MWD), Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale, and safety. At week 24 (n ¼ 66), the mean (standard deviation [SD]) total LPH score was 37.17 (24.61), for a mean (SD) change from baseline of À10.99 (22.51). At last visit, with week 24 imputed, the mean (SD) total score was 40.63 (28.38), for a mean (SD) change from baseline of À5.40 (27.8) (n ¼ 75; P ¼ 0.0484). Improvement in LPH questionnaire total score was observed by week 4 and was maintained through week 24. Improvements were observed in WHO FC, Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale, and accelerometer-measured 6MWD at week 24. Treatment with riociguat had a positive impact on PROs in treatment-naïve patients with PAH and was well tolerated, with a similar safety profile to that observed in placebo-controlled phase 3 trials.

For the prevention and diagnosis sections, applying the AGREE-II method is useful to develop a scientifically-sustained document, adjusted to the local reality per country, as is the Mexican Guideline on Asthma.

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BackgroundIn 2011, we conducted a comprehensive asthma survey in Latin America with a 3-fold purpose: to explore the realities of living with asthma, to identify the disconnect between expectations in asthma management and the patient experience, and to identify unmet needs in asthma management. The Latin America Asthma Insight and Management (LA AIM) survey was modeled on similar programs in the US, Europe and Canada, and the Asia-Pacific region.MethodsFace-to-face interviews of approximately 35 minutes' duration were conducted with respondents drawn from a national probability sample. The survey was designed to include 2000 patients (400 patients/location) across countries in Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela) and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Survey questions were organized under the topics of asthma burden; impact of asthma on patients' activities, lifestyles, and work productivity; emotional burden; defining and characterizing symptoms; seasonal influences on symptoms; triggers; most bothersome symptoms; and patient perceptions about current levels of control.ResultsThe results from the LA AIM survey will become available in November 2011. In the 2009 US AIM survey,1 2500 asthma patients aged ≥12 years (adults, n = 2186, and parents of adolescent respondents) were interviewed by phone. Participants had a diagnosis of asthma, had taken asthma medication, or experienced an asthma attack within 12 months of the survey. Respondents in the patient sample were predominantly female (69%, n = 1732), aged ≥35 years (73%, n = 1819), and had “not well-controlled” or “very poorly controlled” asthma (71%), using National Asthma Education Prevention Program guideline criteria. One in 4 respondents experienced symptom worsening at least weekly over the past 12 months: 11% reported asthma exacerbations most days; another 14% reported them at least twice weekly.ConclusionsThe US AIM survey provides a comprehensive depiction of the current state of asthma burden and patient perceptions in the United States. The LA AIM survey provides a view of the state of asthma across 5 distinct Latin American cultures.