Trajectories of Spirometric Patterns, Obstructive and PRISm, in a Population-Based Cohort in Latin America.

Background: Preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm) has been associated with adverse outcomes and increased transition to other spirometric categories over time. We aimed to examine its prevalence, trajectories over time, and outcomes in a population-based sample from Latin America. Methods: Data were obtained from two population-based surveys of adults from three cities in Latin America (PLATINO study), conducted on the same individuals 5-9 years after their baseline examination. We estimated the frequency of PRISm defined by FEV1/FVC≥0.70 with FEV1 <80%, describing their clinical characteristics, longitudinal transition trajectories over time, factors associated with the transition. Results: At baseline, 2942 participants completed post-bronchodilator spirometry, and 2026 at both evaluations. The prevalence of normal spirometry was 78%, GOLD-stage 1 10.6%, GOLD 2-4 6.5%, and PRISm was: 5.0% (95% CI 4.2-5.8). PRISm was associated with less schooling, more reports of physician-diagnosis of COPD, wheezing, dyspnea, missing days at work, having ≥2 exacerbations in the previous year but without accelerated lung function decline. Mortality risk was significantly higher in PRISm (HR 1.97, 95% CI 1.2-3.3) and COPD GOLD 1-4 categories (HR 1.79, 95% CI 1.3-2.4) compared with normal spirometry. PRISm at baseline most frequently transitioned to another category at follow-up (46.5%); 26.7% to normal spirometry and 19.8% to COPD. The best predictors of transition to COPD were closeness of FEV1/FVC to 0.70, older age, current smoking, and a longer FET in the second assessment. Conclusion: PRISm, is a heterogeneous and unstable condition prone to adverse outcomes that require adequate follow-up.

Outcomes for symptomatic non-obstructed individuals and individuals with mild (GOLD stage 1) COPD in a population based cohort.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to study the adverse outcomes of symptomatic and asymptomatic non-obstructed individuals and those with mild COPD longitudinally in participants from three Latin-American cities. METHODS: Two population-based surveys of adults with spirometry were conducted for these same individuals with a 5- to 9-year interval. We evaluated the impact of respiratory symptoms (cough, phlegm, wheezing or dyspnea) in non-obstructed individuals, and among those classified as Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage 1, COPD on exacerbation frequency, mortality and FEV1 decline, compared with asymptomatic individuals without airflow obstruction or restriction. RESULTS: Non-obstructed symptomatic individuals had a marginal increased risk of mortality (HR 1.3; 95% CI 0.9-1.94), increased FEV1 decline (-4.5 mL/year; 95% CI -8.6, -0.4) and increased risk of 2+ exacerbations in the previous year (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.2-6.5). Individuals with GOLD stage 1 had a marginal increase in mortality (HR 1.5; 95% CI 0.93-2.3) but a non-significant impact on FEV1 decline or exacerbations compared with non-obstructed individuals. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of respiratory symptoms in non-obstructed individuals was a predictor of mortality, lung-function decline and exacerbations, whereas the impact of GOLD stage 1 was mild and inconsistent. Respiratory symptoms were associated with asthma, current smoking, and the report of heart disease. Spirometric case-finding and treatment should target individuals with moderate-to-severe airflow obstruction and those with restriction, the groups with consistent increased mortality.

Lung function decline in subjects with and without COPD in a population-based cohort in Latin-America.

BACKGROUND: Lung-function decline is one of the possible mechanisms leading to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). METHODS: We analyzed data obtained from two population-based surveys of adults (n = 2026) conducted in the same individuals 5-9 years (y) after their baseline examination in three Latin-American cities. Post BronchoDilator (postBD) FEV1 decline in mL/y, as %predicted/y (%P/y) and % of baseline/y (%B/y) was calculated and the influence of age, gender, BMI, baseline lung function, BD response, exacerbations rate evaluated using multivariate models. RESULTS: Expressed in ml/y, the mean annual postBD FEV1 decline was 27 mL (0.22%P, 1.32%B) in patients with baseline COPD and 36 (0.14%P, 1.36%B) in those without. Faster decline (in mL/y) was associated with higher baseline lung function, with significant response to bronchodilators, older age and smoking at baseline, also in women with chronic cough and phlegm, or ≥2 respiratory exacerbations in the previous year, and in men with asthma. CONCLUSIONS: Lung function decline in a population-based cohort did not differ in obstructed and non-obstructed individuals, it was proportional to baseline FEV1, and was higher in smokers, elderly, and women with respiratory symptoms.

Instability in the COPD diagnosis upon repeat testing vary with the definition of COPD.

BACKGROUND: A low FEV1/FVC from post-bronchodilator spirometry is required to diagnose COPD. Both the FEV1 and the FVC can vary over time; therefore, individuals can be given a diagnosis of mild COPD at one visit, but have normal spirometry during the next appointment, even without an intervention. METHODS: We analyzed two population-based surveys of adults with spirometry carried out for the same individuals 5-9 years after their baseline examination. We determined the factors associated with a change in the spirometry interpretation from one exam to the next utilizing different criteria commonly used to diagnose COPD. RESULTS: The rate of an inconsistent diagnosis of mild COPD was 11.7% using FEV1/FVC <0.70, 5.9% using FEV1/FEV6

Assessment of five different guideline indication criteria for spirometry, including modified GOLD criteria, in order to detect COPD: data from 5,315 subjects in the PLATINO study.

BACKGROUND: Spirometry is the gold standard for diagnosing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although there are a number of different guideline criteria for deciding who should be selected for spirometric screening, to date it is not known which criteria are the best based on sensitivity and specificity. AIMS: Firstly, to evaluate the proportion of subjects in the PLATINO Study that would be recommended for spirometry testing according to Global initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD)-modified, American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), National Lung Health Education Program (NLHEP), GOLD and American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) criteria. Secondly, we aimed to compare the sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive and negative predictive values, of these five different criteria. METHODS: Data from the PLATINO study included information on respiratory symptoms, smoking and previous spirometry testing. The GOLD-modified spirometry indication criteria are based on three positive answers out of five questions: the presence of cough, phlegm in the morning, dyspnoea, age over 40 years and smoking status. RESULTS: Data from 5,315 subjects were reviewed. Fewer people had an indication for spirometry (41.3%) according to the GOLD-modified criteria, and more people had an indication for spirometry (80.4%) by the GOLD and ATS/ERS criteria. A low percentage had previously had spirometry performed: GOLD-modified (14.5%); ACCP (13.2%); NLHEP (12.6%); and GOLD and ATS/ERS (12.3%). The GOLD-modified criteria showed the least sensitivity (54.9) and the highest specificity (61.0) for detecting COPD, whereas GOLD and ATS/ERS criteria showed the highest sensitivity (87.9) and the least specificity (20.8). CONCLUSION: There is a considerable difference in the indication for spirometry according to the five different guideline criteria. The GOLD-modified criteria recruit less people with the greatest sum of sensitivity and specificity.

FEV1 is a better predictor of mortality than FVC: the PLATINO cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the presence of chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) and reduction of lung function parameters were predictors of mortality in a cohort. MATERIALS/PATIENTS AND METHODS: Population based cohorts were followed in Montevideo, Santiago and Sao Paulo during 5, 6 and 9 years, respectively. Outcomes included all-cause, cardiovascular, respiratory and cancer mortality; exposures were COPD, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC). Cox regression was used for analyses. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, receiver operator characteristics curves and Youden's index were calculated. RESULTS: Main causes of death were cardiovascular, respiratory and cancer. Baseline COPD was associated with overall mortality (HR = 1.43 for FEV1/FVC

Increased risk of exacerbation and hospitalization in subjects with an overlap phenotype: COPD-asthma.

BACKGROUND: Several COPD phenotypes have been described; the COPD-asthma overlap is one of the most recognized. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of three subgroups (asthma, COPD, and COPD-asthma overlap) in the Latin American Project for the Investigation of Obstructive Lung Disease (PLATINO) study population, to describe their main characteristics, and to determine the association of the COPD-asthma overlap group with exacerbations, hospitalizations, limitations due to physical health, and perception of general health status (GHS). METHODS: The PLATINO study is a multicenter population-based survey carried out in five Latin American cities. Outcomes were self-reported exacerbations (defined by deterioration of breathing symptoms that affected usual daily activities or caused missed work), hospitalizations due to exacerbations, physical health limitations, and patients' perception of their GHS obtained by questionnaire. Subjects were classified in three specific groups: COPD--a postbronchodilator (post-BD) FEV1/FVC ratio of < 0.70; asthma--presence of wheezing in the last year and a minimum post-BD increase in FEV1 or FVC of 12% and 200 mL; and overlap COPD-asthma--the combination of the two. RESULTS: Out of 5,044 subjects, 767 were classified as having COPD (12%), asthma (1.7%), and COPD-asthma overlap (1.8%). Subjects with COPD-asthma overlap had more respiratory symptoms, had worse lung function, used more respiratory medication, had more hospitalization and exacerbations, and had worse GHS. After adjusting for confounders, the COPD-asthma overlap was associated with higher risks for exacerbations (prevalence ratio [PR], 2.11; 95% CI, 1.08-4.12), hospitalizations (PR, 4.11; 95% CI, 1.45-11.67), and worse GHS (PR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.18-1.85) compared with those with COPD. CONCLUSIONS: The coexisting COPD-asthma phenotype is possibly associated with increased disease severity.

A population-based cohort study on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Latin America: methods and preliminary results. The PLATINO Study Phase II.

BACKGROUND: The PLATINO baseline study, conducted from 2003-2005 in five Latin American cities (São Paulo, Mexico City, Montevideo, Santiago, Caracas), showed a high prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS/DESIGN: A follow-up study was conducted in three out of the five centers (Montevideo, Santiago, and São Paulo) after a period of 5, 6 and 9years, respectively, aimed at verifying the stability of the COPD diagnosis over time, the evolution of the disease in terms of survival, morbidity and respiratory function, and the analyses of inflammatory and genetic biomarkers in the blood. Some questions were added to the original questionnaire and death certificates were obtained from the national official registries. RESULTS: The fieldwork has been concluded in the three centers. From the original samples in the PLATINO study phasei, we were able to locate and interview 85.6% of patients in Montevideo, 84.7% in Santiago and 77.7% in São Paulo. Individuals who could not be located had higher education levels in Brazil, and were more likely to be current smokers in Santiago and São Paulo than in Montevideo. The overall quality of spirometries was ≥80% according to American Thoracic Society criteria. The number of deaths was 71 (Montevideo), 95 (Santiago) and 135 (São Paulo), with death certificates obtained from the national mortality registries for 76.1%, 88.3% and 91.8% of cases in Montevideo, Santiago and São Paulo, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that is possible to perform population-based longitudinal studies in Latin American with high follow-up rates and high-quality spirometry data. The adequacy of national mortality registries varies among centers in Latin America.

Reliability of FEV1/FEV6 to diagnose airflow obstruction compared with FEV1/FVC: the PLATINO longitudinal study.

QUESTION: A 6-second spirometry test is easier than full exhalations. We compared the reliability of the ratio of the Forced expiratory volume in 1 second/Forced expiratory volume in 6 seconds (FEV1/FEV6) to the ratio of the FEV1/Forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) for the detection of airway obstruction. METHODS: The PLATINO population-based survey in individuals aged 40 years and over designed to estimate the prevalence of post-Bronchodilator airway obstruction repeated for the same study participants after 5-9 years in three Latin-American cities. RESULTS: Using the FEV1/FVC

Perceptions of short and long sleep duration and comorbid conditions: the PLATINO study.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to describe the distribution of self-reported sleep duration in adults over the age of 40 years and to analyze the associated risk factors, comorbid conditions, and quality of life (QoL). METHODS: Our study was constructed as a cross-sectional population-based study and is part of the PLATINO (Spanish acronym for the Latin American Project for Research in Pulmonary Obstruction) study. It includes data from Mexico City (Mexico), Montevideo (Uruguay), Santiago (Chile), and Caracas (Venezuela). Data from 4533 individuals were analyzed using a single questionnaire entitled, PLATINO, which was designed to collect data on self-reported sleep symptoms. Spirometry also was performed in accordance with international standards. All statistical analyses took the study design into consideration with adjustments for each city. RESULTS: The prevalence of subjects who reported sleeping <7h was 38.4%, ≥ 7 to <9h was 51.4%, and ≥ 9h was 10.2%. In the multivariate analysis, individuals with shorter sleep duration had higher frequencies of insomnia, increased forced expiratory volume in one second in liters and percentage/forced vital capacity in liters (FEV1/FVC) of predicted ratios, and a higher presence of coughing and phlegm. The main risk factor associated with longer duration of sleep was the number of comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported sleep duration discriminated among groups that differed in sleep-related symptoms, respiratory symptoms, QoL and comorbid conditions.

Comorbidities and health status in individuals with and without COPD in five Latin American cities: the PLATINO study.

INTRODUCTION: Comorbidities are common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and have a significant impact on health status and prognosis. The PLATINO study provides data on self-reported comorbidities and perceived health status in COPD subjects. METHODS: PLATINO is a population-based study on COPD prevalence in five Latin American cities. COPD diagnosis was defined by GOLD criteria (FEV1/FVC<.70 post-bronchodilator). Information was collected on the following comorbidities: heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, cerebrovascular disease, peptic ulcer and asthma. Health status was evaluated using the SF-12 questionnaire, derived from the question: «In general, would you say your health is excellent, very good, good, fair or poor?¼. A simple comorbidity score was calculated by adding the total number of comorbid conditions. RESULTS: Of a total population of 5314individuals, 759 had COPD. Reported comorbidities by decreasing frequency were: any cardiovascular disease, hypertension, peptic ulcer, heart disease, diabetes, cerebrovascular disease, asthma and lung cancer. COPD patients had a higher comorbidity score and prevalence of lung cancer (P<.0001) and asthma (P<.0001), as well as a higher tendency to have hypertension (P=.0652) and cerebrovascular disease (P=.0750). Factors associated with comorbidities were age, body mass index (BMI) and female gender. The number of comorbidities increased as the health status deteriorated. CONCLUSIONS: In the PLATINO population-based study, COPD individuals had an increased number of comorbidities. Age, female gender and higher BMI were the factors associated with comorbidity in these patients. Comorbid conditions were associated with impaired health status, independently of the COPD status.

Aproximación a los valores de referencia de la capacidad residual funcional en una población de niños y adolescentes / Approach to the reference values of the functional residual capacity in a population of children and adolescents

Introducción: para la interpretación de las pruebas de función pulmonar se utilizan valores de referencia (normales) que se comparan con los medidos para detectar alteración funcional. Existen discrepancias entre las ecuaciones en pediatría: un limitado númerode participantes, no disponibles o no comparables debido a que se realizan con otros métodos. Objetivos: medir la capacidad residual funcional(CRF) en niños asmáticos controlados quepresentaron espirometría normal. Analizar por grupos de edad y talla las medidas de dispersión de las distintas variables funcionales (volúmenes y capacidades pulmonares). Métodos:estudio transversal; incluye niños y adolescentes asmáticos controlados (clínica-funcional). Se realizó determinación de CRF por técnica de lavado de nitrógeno (N2) (Easy One ProLab ®) bajo condiciones estandarizadas. Se analizan los datos de dispersión de las variables funcionales estratificadas por cuartiles de talla. Resultados: se estudiaron 86 niños, 49 varones (57%), edad media 11,01 ± 2,46 años. Asma–obesidad en 37,21%. Existe una relación lineal entre la CRF y la talla: por cada aumento en 1 centímetro de la altura hay un aumento de la CRF en 0,23 litros (IC95% 0,19 – 0,27 L) p= 0,000. Conclusiones: la CRF guarda relación con el tamaño corporal (altura), por tanto es de gran importancia medir estas variables de desarrollo pulmonar desde etapas tempranas hasta la adolescencia, para comprender en términos evolutivos pronósticos de las distintas patologías respiratorias. Estos datos son limitados a una población de asmáticos, sin embargo, son un inicio en la interpretación de resultados, probablemente más representativa que las disponibles en la literatura

Introduction: for the interpretation of pulmonaryfunction tests it is useful the reference values (normalpopulation) that are compared with those measured fordetecting functional disturbance. There arediscrepancies between the equations in pediatrics: alimited number of participants, not available or notcomparable because they are performed with othermethods.Objectives: measure the CRF in controlled asthmaticchildren who had normal spirometry. Analyze by ageand size dispersion measures of functional variables(volumes and lung capacities).Methods: cross-sectional study, including controlledasthmatic children and adolescents(clinical-functional). We carried Functional ResidualCapacity (FRC) by nitrogen washout technique (N2)(Easy One Pro Lab ®) under standardized conditions.We analyze the data of the functional variables stratifiedby quartiles of height.Results: we studied 86 children, 49 men (57%), meanage 11,01 ± 2,46 years. Prevalence of overweight andobesity was 37,21%. A linear relationship existsbetween the CRF and the height: for each 1 centimeterincrease in height there CRF increased by 0,23 liters(95% from 0,19 to 0,27 L) p = 0,000.Conclusions: the CRF is related to body size (height),so it is very important to measure these variables fromearly lung development through adolescence, tounderstand in evolutionary terms the progression ofdifferent respiratory diseases. These data are limited toa population of asthmatics, however, are a start in theinterpretation of results, probably more representativethan those available in the literature.

Airflow obstruction in never smokers in five Latin American cities: the PLATINO study.

BACKGROUND: Although chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is mostly related to tobacco smoking, a variable proportion of COPD occurs in never smokers. We investigated differences between COPD in never smokers compared with smokers and subjects without COPD. METHODS: PLATINO is a cross-sectional population-based study of five Latin American cities. COPD was defined as postbronchodilator FEV(1)/FVC <0.70 and FEV(1) <80% of predicted values. RESULTS: Among 5,315 subjects studied, 2278 were never smokers and 3036 were ever smokers. COPD was observed in 3.5% of never smokers and in 7.5% of ever smokers. Never smokers with COPD were most likely older and reported a medical diagnosis of asthma or previous tuberculosis. Underdiagnosis was as common in obstructed patients who never smoked as in ever smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Never smokers comprised 26% of all individuals with airflow obstruction. Obstruction was associated with female gender, older age and a diagnosis of asthma or tuberculosis.

¿Existen diferencias entre los asmáticos con peso normal y los de sobrepeso-obesidad? / The relation ship between normal weight and overweight - obesity asthmatic

Introducción: el aumento de la prevalencia del asma y la obesidad ha llevado a diferentes investigadores a postular que existe una asociación significativa entre ambas entidades. Objetivos: describir y analizar factores asociados al sobrepeso-obesidad en niños y adolescentes asmáticos. Métodos: estudio transversal, con diagnóstico de asma según Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). Se calculó el IMC y percentiles para edad y sexo (CDC, 2000), definiendo grupos de sobrepeso y obesidad. Resultados: de 559 pacientes, 226 (40,4%) sexo femenino, edad 9,08±2,20 años. La primera crisis se presentó a los 2,36±2,50 años. 23,8% tenían asma intermitente, 33,8% persistente leve, 37,6% moderada y 4,8% eran severos. La relación VEF1/CVF promedio fue de 82,42±9,51%, con cifras de VEF1 97,53±17,38%. El 17,9% tenían sobrepeso y 13,2% obesidad. Las niñas tenían mas sobrepeso y obesidad (OR 1,52, IC95% 1,06-2,19). La primera crisis se presentó antes de los 6 años en 34,1% para el grupo con sobrepeso-obesidad, con un OR = 2,39, IC95% 1,21-4,72. La presencia de crisis en el último año, ajustado por las distintas variables independientes analizadas mostró un OR 1,99, IC95% 1,01-3,95 para sobrepeso-obesidad (p=0,048). Conclusiones: la prevalencia de sobrepeso-obesidad entre los asmáticos estudiados es mayor a la publicada para población general de nuestro país a igual edad. El sexo femenino, las crisis en el último año y el inicio más temprano de la misma mostraron significativamente mayor riesgo de sobre pesoobesidad en los asmáticos estudiados.

Background: the prevalence of asthma and obesity has increased. That has get to speculation they may be related. Objectives: to describe and analyze the factors associated to overweight/obesity in asthmatic children and teenagers. Methods: cross sectional study with asthma diagnosis by “Global Initiative for Asthma” (GINA). BMI and percentiles for each age and gender were calculated (CDC, 2000) defining overweight and obesity study groups. Results: 559 patients, 226 (40,4 %) were female, aged 9,08 ± 2,20 years. The age of the first asthmatic attack was at 2,36 ± 2,50. 23,8% had intermittent asthma, 33,8% had persistent mild asthma, 37,6% had persistent moderate asthma and 4,8% had severe asthma. In average FEV1/FVC was 82,42 ± 9,51% with FEV1 97,53 ± 17,38%. 17,9% of them were overweight and 13,2% were obese. Girls were more overweight and obese. (OR 1,52 IC95% 1,06-2,19) 34,1% of the overweight/obese group suffered their first asthmatic attack before the age of 6; OR = 2,39 IC95% 1,21- 4,72. The presence of an attack over the past year, adjusted by other independent variables analyzed, showed OR 1,99 IC95% 1,01- 3,95 for overweightobesity (p=0,048).

Acute bronchodilator responsiveness in subjects with and without airflow obstruction in five Latin American cities: the PLATINO study.

BACKGROUND: Acute bronchodilator responsiveness is an area of discussion in COPD. No information exists regarding this aspect of the disease from an unselected COPD population. We assessed acute bronchodilator responsiveness and factors influencing it in subjects with and without airway obstruction in an epidemiologic sample. METHODS: COPD was defined by GOLD criteria (post-bronchodilator FEV(1)/FVC<0.70). In this analysis, subjects with pre-bronchodilator FEV(1)/FVC <0.70 but > or =0.70 post-bronchodilator were considered to have reversible obstruction. Bronchodilator responsiveness after albuterol 200microg was assessed using three definitions: a) FVC and/or FEV(1) increment > or =12% plus > or =200mL over baseline; b) FEV(1)> or =15% increase over baseline; and c) FEV(1) increase > or =10% of predicted value. RESULTS: There were 756 healthy respiratory subjects, 481 subjects with reversible obstruction and 759 COPD subjects. Depending on the criterion used the proportion of person with acute bronchodilator responsiveness ranged between 15.0-28.2% in COPD, 11.4-21.6% in reversible obstructed and 2.7-7.2% in respiratory healthy. FEV(1) changes were lower (110.6+/-7.40 vs. 164.7+/-11.8mL) and FVC higher (146.5+/-14.2mL vs. -131.0+/-19.6mL) in COPD subjects compared with reversible obstructed. Substantial overlap in FEV(1) and FVC changes was observed among the groups. Acute bronchodilator responsiveness in COPD persons was associated with less obstruction and never smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Over two-thirds of persons with COPD did not demonstrate acute bronchodilator responsiveness. The overall response was small and less than that considered as significant by ATS criteria. The overlap in FEV(1) and FVC changes after bronchodilator among the groups makes it difficult to determine a threshold for separating them.

Test de control de asma en pediatría: ACT infantil: utilidad clínica en la práctica médica / Asthma control test in pediatrics: infantile ACT: clinic utility in daily practice

El asma es la enfermedad crónica más frecuente en la infancia. Sus guías de diagnóstico y tratamiento promueven alcanzar y mantener el control de la enfermedad. Objetivos: determinar el porcentaje de niños con asma controlada aplicando el test de control del asma (ACT infantil), y los niveles de control clínico-funcional (GINA); relacionar estos datos con la espirometría. Metodología: estudio transversal, en niños que concurrieron a la policlínica de neumología en el período marzo 2008 – abril 2009.Resultados: de 192 niños, 31,25% presentaron un asma no controlada por ACT infantil. Según GINA 30,46% estaban parcialmente controlados, mientras que el 7,95% no alcanzaron dicho control. El 18,75% tuvieron obstrucción bronquial, y respuesta significativa al salbutamol el 27,10% de los niños; presentando una asociación estadísticamente significativa con el grupo de ACT no controlado (p=0,020). Esta asociación se confirma para los grupos de control clínico por GINA, solamente si obstrucción bronquial es severa (valor p 0,034). Los niños del grupo no controlado por ACT presentaron una probabilidad mayor de tener obstrucción bronquial en la espirometría (OR = 3,13 CI95% 1,50- 6,55), y responder positivamente al salbutamol (OR = 2,51 CI95% 1,19 – 5,29) El ACT es una herramienta de aplicación en la práctica clínica, que permite diferenciar los niños que no alcanzan un control de la enfermedad y en los que existe una mayor probabilidad de presentar alteraciones de su función pulmonar. Es en ellos que se deberá ajustar la terapéutica.

Asthma is the most common chronic disease in childhood. The goal of asthma guidelines is achieve the control of the disease. Objectives: determine the proportion of children with controlled asthma using the asthma control test (ACT), and the GINA clinical- functional levels. Compare these groups with pulmonary function test. Methodology: cross sectional study assessment asthmatic children between March 2008- April 2009. Results: of 192 children, 31.25% had no control asthma applying ACT instrument. According GINA in 30.46% children, the asthma was partially controlled, while 7.95% can not achieve the control of the disease. 18.75% of them had airflow limitation, and 27.10% significant response to bronchodilator. They had a significant association with the no control ACT group (p= 0,020). This association was present only with the most severe obstructive group among GINA levels (valor p 0,034). The children with ACT no controlled asthma had more probability to have airflow limitation by spirometry (OR = 3.13 CI95% 1.50- 6.55), and significant response to bronchodilator. (OR = 2.51 CI95% 1.19 – 5.29). The ACT is a tool to apply in clinical practice that recognize a special group with poor control of the disease and more likelihood to present pulmonary function deterioration, so they may receive a specific treatment.

Prevalence of smoking and incidence of initiation in the Latin American adult population: the PLATINO study.

BACKGROUND: The PLATINO project was launched in 2002 in order to study the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Latin America. Because smoking is the main risk factor for COPD, detailed data on it were obtained. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the prevalence of smoking and incidence of initiation among middle-aged and older adults (40 years or older). Special emphasis was given to the association between smoking and schooling. METHODS: PLATINO is a multicenter study comprising five cross-sectional population-based surveys of approximately 1,000 individuals per site in Sao Paulo (Brazil), Santiago (Chile), Mexico City (Mexico), Montevideo (Uruguay) and Caracas (Venezuela). The outcome variable was smoking status (never, former or current). Current smokers were those who reported to smoke within the previous 30 days. Former smokers were those who reported to quit smoking more than 30 days before the survey. Using information on year of birth and age of smoking onset and quitting, a retrospective cohort analysis was carried out. Smoking prevalence at each period was defined as the number of subjects who started to smoke during the period plus those who were already smokers at the beginning of the period, divided by the total number of subjects. Incidence of smoking initiation was calculated as the number of subjects who started to smoke during the period divided by the number of non-smokers at its beginning. The independent variables included were sex, age and schooling. RESULTS: Non-response rates ranged from 11.1% to 26.8%. The prevalence of smoking ranged from 23.9% (95%CI 21.3; 26.6) in Sao Paulo to 38.5% (95%CI 35.7; 41.2) in Santiago. Males and middle-aged adults were more likely to smoke in all sites. After adjustment for age, schooling was not associated with smoking. Using retrospective cohort analysis, it was possible to detect that the highest prevalence of smoking is found between 20-29 years, while the highest incidence is found between 10-19 years. Age of smoking onset tended to decline over time among females. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of smoking varied considerably across sites, but was lower among countries with national anti-smoking campaigns.

Health status perception and airflow obstruction in five Latin American cities: the PLATINO study.

BACKGROUND: COPD is a highly prevalent disease but underdiagnosed, undertreated and possibly under-recognized by patients. Limited information exists regarding patients' perception of COPD severity. We compared patients' general health status perception, degree of breathlessness and physical activity limitation with the severity of their respiratory condition measured by airway obstruction, in a population-based sample. METHODS: We used postbronchodilator FEV(1)/FVC<0.70 to define COPD. Patients' perception of their general health status was derived from the question "in general you would say that your health is: excellent, very good, good, fair or poor?" RESULTS: Spirometry was performed in 5314 subjects: an FEV(1)/FVC ratio below 0.70 was found in 759 subjects. In persons with COPD, general health status decreased with increasing GOLD stages. Over one-half of subjects with stage 2 and one third of those with stages 3 and 4 reported their health status as good to excellent. There was also a disparity between airway obstruction severity and breathlessness intensity. Although the more severe COPD stages were frequently associated with significant compromise of work and everyday activities, patients often tended to provide an optimistic self evaluation of their health status. CONCLUSIONS: The discrepancy observed between general health status, dyspnea severity, physical activity limitation and airway obstruction most likely reflect patients' underperception of disease severity, emphasizing the need for improving case-finding measures and multi-component evaluation of COPD subjects.

Frequency of self-reported COPD exacerbation and airflow obstruction in five Latin American cities: the Proyecto Latinoamericano de Investigacion en Obstruccion Pulmonar (PLATINO) study.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent exacerbations are common in COPD patients. Limited information exists regarding exacerbation frequency in COPD patients from epidemiologic studies. We examined the frequency of self-reported exacerbations and the factors influencing exacerbation frequency among COPD patients in a population-based study conducted in Latin America. METHODS: We used a post-bronchodilator FEV(1)/FVC ratio of < 0.70 to define COPD. Exacerbation was self-reported and defined by symptoms (deterioration of breathing symptoms that affected usual daily activities or caused missed work). RESULTS: Spirometry was performed in 5,314 subjects. There were 759 subjects with airflow limitation; of these, 18.2% reported ever having had an exacerbation, 7.9% reported having an exacerbation, and 6.2% reported having an exacerbation requiring at least a doctor visit within the past year. The proportion of individuals with an exacerbation significantly increased by Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stages, from 4.2% in stage 1 to 28.9% in stages 3 and 4. The self-reported exacerbation rate was 0.58 exacerbations per year. The rate of exacerbations requiring at least a doctor visit and length of stay in hospital due to exacerbations also increased as COPD severity progressed. The factors associated with having an exacerbation in the past year were dyspnea, prior asthma diagnosis, receiving any respiratory therapy, and disease severity of GOLD stages 3 and 4. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of individuals with airflow limitation and self-reported exacerbation increases as the disease severity progresses. Dyspnea, prior asthma diagnosis, receiving any respiratory therapy, and more severe obstruction were significantly associated with having an exacerbation in the past year.