In Mexico it is estimated that there are about seven thousand people with pulmonary arterial hypertension, of which the vast majority have not known that chronic degenerative disease and therefore do not receive timely treatment, the pulmonologist said Guadalupe Hernandez Espitia.
Under the Sixth Latin American Symposium of the disease that was conducted in this tourist destination, the Specialist Hospital October 1, ISSSTE said one of the reasons why many people are unaware of the condition is that it has isolated manifestations in early stages.
Patients often underestimate the shortness of breath or fatigue and think that these symptoms are due to inadequate food and rest, he said at a press conference.
In addition, he continued, at first the symptoms are very noticeable, which makes diagnosis difficult, but it is important to stress that is considered a catastrophic illness by the General Health Council in Mexico.
He said that the World Health Organization (WHO) considered a catastrophic illness to one that consumes more than 40 percent of revenues due per day, as well as the toll on the patient and the involvement of family dynamics.
"This disease is disabling and patients need special care and over time the relatives may call caregiver fatigue," he added.
In turn, the head of Cardioneumología the National Institute of Cardiology, Thomas Pulido, said that the time it takes for a patient receiving a diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension is up to 2.5 years and average query three doctors from the first symptoms .
Therefore, he explained, more coverage is needed, educate primary care physicians and involve the authorities and pharmaceutical companies to do more research protocols and increase diagnosis and care centers.
He said the country has four specialized centers with the necessary infrastructure for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease, three in Mexico City and one in Monterrey, which must create more such places and to improve on access to medicines.
He explained that although the incidence of the disease is low, it is estimated that each year there are 15 cases per million population, the pulmonary arterial hypertension patients not receiving timely treatment die within three years.
The specialist agreed with Hernandez Espitia in the need for a national registry of patients to determine the incidence and prevalence of the disease in actual Mexico.
As reported, 20 years ago there was no drug to treat the disease, whereas now there are nine, and while it has not yet cure, better understand the mechanisms that cause, because many patients still living after 15 years being diagnosed.
As part of the event a new drug from the laboratory Actelion, administered orally daily is presented.
Espitia According to Hernandez, the drug and to prolong life, can reduce symptoms for the patient to return to normal activity.
The disease, which is different from hypertension or high blood pressure is rare, chronic, degenerative and incurable, and treatments available to date only help reduce symptoms and improve quality of life for patients.
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