title: Detection and follow-up of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and risk factors in the Southern Cone of Latin America: the pulmonary risk in South America (PRISA) study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The World Health Organization has estimated that by 2030, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease will be the third leading cause of death worldwide. Most knowledge of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is based on studies performed in Europe or North America and little is known about the prevalence, patient characteristics and change in lung function over time in patients in developing countries, such as those of Latin America. This lack of knowledge is in sharp contrast to the high levels of tobacco consumption and exposure to biomass fuels exhibited in Latin America, both major risk factors for the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Studies have also demonstrated that most Latin American physicians frequently do not follow international chronic obstructive pulmonary disease diagnostic and treatment guidelines. The PRISA Study will expand the current knowledge regarding chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and risk factors in Argentina, Chile and Uruguay to inform policy makers and health professionals on the best policies and practices to address this condition.
  
  
  METHODS
  PRISA is an observational, prospective cohort study with at least four years of follow-up. In the first year, PRISA has employed a randomized three-staged stratified cluster sampling strategy to identify 6,000 subjects from Marcos Paz and Bariloche, Argentina, Temuco, Chile, and Canelones, Uruguay. Information, such as comorbidities, socioeconomic status and tobacco and biomass exposure, will be collected and spirometry, anthropometric measurements, blood sampling and electrocardiogram will be performed. In year four, subjects will have repeat measurements taken.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is no longitudinal data on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease incidence and risk factors in the southern cone of Latin America, therefore this population-based prospective cohort study will fill knowledge gaps in the prevalence and incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, patient characteristics and changes in lung function over time as well as quality of life and health care resource utilization. Information gathered during the PRISA Study will inform public health interventions and prevention practices to reduce risk of COPD in the region.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Excelencia en Salud Cardiovascular para el Cono Sur, Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria, (Emilio Ravignani 2024), Buenos Aires, (C1414CPV), Argentina. arubinstein@iecs.org.ar
authors.forename: Adolfo L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Rubinstein
authors.forename: Vilma E
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Irazola
authors.forename: Lydia A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Bazzano
authors.forename: Edgardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sobrino
authors.forename: Matías
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Calandrelli
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lanas
authors.forename: Alison G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jose A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Manfredi
authors.forename: Héctor
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Olivera
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ponzo
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Seron
authors.forename: Jiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: He
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking; D012923:Social Class; D013020:South America / Q000453:epidemiology; D013147:Spirometry; D014583:Uruguay