Methods: Asthma patients aged ≥18 years from 4 Latin American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela) and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico responded to survey questions during 35-minute face-to-face interviews. A sample size of 2000 patients (400 patients/location) provided an accurate national representation of the opinions of asthma patients. Questions probed respondents’ views on topics such as patient-reported levels of asthma control, frequency and duration of exacerbations in the past year, and current and recent use of asthma medications. Participants in both surveys had a diagnosis of asthma, had taken asthma medication, or had an asthma attack within 12 months of the survey.
Results: Results from the LA AIM will be available November 2011. A total of 2184 adults or parents of children with asthma took part in AIRLA by phone or face-to-face interviews.1 In AIRLA, 54.0% of respondents reported their disease as well- or completely controlled. However, only 2.4% met all guideline criteria for asthma control. Further, 6% of AIRLA respondents reported their asthma as severe; however, when guideline criteria were applied, 21% had severe asthma.
Conclusions: The responses in LA AIM shed light on whether there have been meaningful changes since the 2003 AIRLA survey in patient perception of their asthma control and that control as defined by guideline criteria. Because asthma morbidity is largely preventable, 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.
1. Neffen H et al. Asthma control in Latin America: the Asthma Insights and Reality in Latin America (AIRLA) survey. Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2005;17:191-197.