Occurrence of respiratory symptoms in persons with restrictive ventilatory impairment compared with persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: The PLATINO study.

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) usually complain of symptoms such as cough, sputum, wheezing, and dyspnea. Little is known about clinical symptoms in individuals with restrictive ventilatory impairment. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence and type of respiratory symptoms in patients with COPD to those reported by individuals with restrictive ventilatory impairment in the Proyecto Latinoamericano de Investigacion en Obstruccion Pulmonar study.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

Beta 2 adrenergic receptor polymorphisms, at codons 16 and 27, and bronchodilator responses in adult Venezuelan asthmatic patients.

Background: One of the gene polymorphisms often studied in asthmatic patients is the β2 adrenergic receptor (ADRβ2). Even though in the Venezuelan Mestizo population there is a high incidence of asthma, there are no direct reports of ADRβ2 gene polymorphism, and treatment response. The aim of this study was to assess, in this population, the gene frequency of ADRβ2 polymorphisms at codons 16 Arg/Gly and 27 Gln/Glu, allergen sensitization, and its relationship to bronchodilator response.

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.

The chronic bronchitis phenotype in subjects with and without COPD: the PLATINO study.

Little information exists regarding the epidemiology of the chronic bronchitis phenotype in unselected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) populations. We examined the prevalence of the chronic bronchitis phenotype in COPD and non-COPD subjects from the PLATINO study, and investigated how it is associated with important outcomes. Post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity <0.

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.

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).

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.

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.

Prevalence of sleep related symptoms in four Latin American cities.

Study Objectives: to estimate the prevalence of the most common sleep related symptoms (SRS) in the metropolitan areas of Mexico City, Montevideo (Uruguay), Santiago (Chile), and Caracas (Venezuela).

Methods: The study consisted of a multistage cluster sampling of adults aged > or = 40 years living in metropolitan areas. All participants completed a questionnaire on sleep related symptoms.

Use of respiratory medication in five Latin American cities: The PLATINO study.

Background: There is scanty information regarding respiratory medication prescription pattern in Latin America. We examined the use of bronchodilators and corticosteroids in a population-based study conducted in five Latin American cities.

Methods: Medication use was derived from questions regarding the use of medication "to help breathing" within the previous 12 months, type of medicine, and frequency of use.

[Treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 5 Latin American cities: the PLATINO study].

Objective: PLATINO project is a population-based study designed to determine the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in São Paulo, Brazil; Mexico City, Mexico; Montevideo, Uruguay; Santiago de Chile, Chile; and Caracas, Venezuela. The objective of this portion of PLATINO was to describe preventive and pharmacological treatment of COPD patients and factors associated with such treatment.

Patients And Methods: Eligible subjects completed a questionnaire and underwent postbronchodilator spirometry.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and body mass index in five Latin America cities: the PLATINO study.

Background: The body mass index (BMI) is a prognostic factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Despite its importance, little information is available regarding BMI alteration in COPD from a population-based study. We examined characteristics by BMI categories in the total and COPD populations in five Latin-American cities, and explored the factors influencing BMI in COPD.

Peripheral muscle alterations in non-COPD smokers.

Background: Although tobacco smoke is the main cause of COPD, relatively little attention has been paid to its potential damage to skeletal muscle. This article addresses the effect of smoking on skeletal muscle.

Methods: The vastus lateralis muscle was studied in 14 non-COPD smokers (FEV(1)/FVC, 78 +/- 5%) and 20 healthy control subjects (FEV(1)/FVC, 80 +/- 3%).

[Spirometry reference values after inhalation of 200 microg of salbutamol].

Objective: The criteria for disease severity established by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease are based on forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) expressed as a percentage of the predicted value after application of a bronchodilator. This study aims to determine postbronchodilator spirometry reference values.

Subjects And Methods: A cluster sample of subjects aged 40 years or over was chosen to be representative of the metropolitan areas of 5 Latin American cities (São Paulo, Mexico City, Montevideo, Santiago, and Caracas).

Impact of bronchodilator use on the prevalence of COPD in population-based samples.

The aim of this study was to describe the impact of using bronchodilators on the prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in a population-based survey (Platino study). A cluster sampling of subjects 40 years of age or older, representative of the metropolitan areas of 5 Latin American cities (Sao Paulo, Mexico, Montevideo, Santiago and Caracas) was chosen. Spirometry according to ATS standards was done before and after inhalation of 200 micrograms of salbutamol in 5183 subjects.

Diagnostic labeling of COPD in five Latin American cities.

Background: COPD is a major worldwide problem with a rising prevalence. Despite its importance, there is a lack of information regarding underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis of COPD in different countries. As part of the Proyecto Latinoamericano de Investigación en Obstrucción Pulmonar study, we examined the relationship between prior diagnostic label and airway obstruction in the metropolitan areas of five Latin American cities (São Paulo, Santiago, Mexico City, Montevideo, and Caracas).

The long-term stability of portable spirometers used in a multinational study of the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: We report the performance of an ultrasound-based portable spirometer (EasyOne) used in a population-based survey of the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, conducted in 5 Latin American cities: São Paulo, Brazil; México City, México; Montevideo, Uruguay; Santiago, Chile; and Caracas, Venezuela (the Latin American COPD Prevalence Study [PLATINO]).

Methods: During the survey period (which ranged from 3 months to 6 months in the various locations) we collected daily calibration data from the 70 EasyOne spirometers used in the 5 survey cities. The calibrations were conducted with a 3-L syringe, and the calibration data were stored in the spirometer's database.

[Spirometric reference values in 5 large Latin American cities for subjects aged 40 years or over].

Objective: In clinical practice, spirometry is a extremely useful test that requires strict quality control, an appropriate strategy for interpretation, and reliable reference values. The aim of this study was to report spirometric reference values for 5 cities in Latin America.

Patients And Methods: From data for 5315 subjects who had undergone spirometry in the PLATINO study in Caracas, Mexico City, Santiago, São Paulo, and Montevideo, we selected information for 906 (17%) individuals aged between 40 years and 90 years to provide reference values.