RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Latin America asthma insight and management (LA AIM): A survey of asthma patients in 4 Latin American countries and Puerto Rico
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP P2729
VO 40
IS Suppl 56
A1 Jorge Maspero
A1 Jose Jardim
A1 Alvaro Aranda
A1 C. Pablo Tassinari
YR 2012
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P2729.abstract
AB Introduction: In 2011, we conducted a comprehensive asthma survey in Latin America to explore realities of living with asthma and identify unmet needs in asthma management. The Latin America Asthma Insight and Management (LA AIM) survey was modeled on similar programs in the United States, Europe and Canada, and the Asia-Pacific region.Methods: Face-to-face interviews lasting approximately 35min were conducted with respondents in a national probability sample. The survey was included 2000 patients (400 patients/location) in Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela) and Puerto Rico. Survey questions covered asthma burden; impact of asthma on patients; emotional burden; symptoms; seasonal influences on symptoms; triggers; most bothersome symptoms; and patient perceptions about current levels of control.Results: More than 51,000 households were screened, and 2169 respondents completed the LA AIM survey across the 5 locations. Respondents were predominantly female (67% for the region, proportion similar in each country). Mean age was 37y (for the region; 35-43y, range across countries). Mean age at diagnosis across locations was 15y; (Argentina:19y; Mexico and Puerto Rico:18y; Brazil:16y; Venezuela:11y). Dust was the most commonly reported trigger (61% overall), followed by change in weather (41% overall).Conclusions: The LA AIM survey provides a comprehensive view of the state of asthma across 5 distinct Latin American cultures. The survey reveals that asthma has a profound impact on patient health and quality of life, suggesting a continuing unmet need for asthma education in Latin America. Results were primarily similar across the region.