Pioneering Asthma Detection Campaign: Insights and Impact Assessment

<bold>Introduction:</bold> Asthma imposes a significant burden in low- and middle-income countries. Argentina has 4 million diagnosed cases and an additional 2 million undiagnosed, leading to 15,000 hospitalizations annually. Effective management mitigates asthma exacerbations. Early access to diagnosis and treatment is crucial for patient quality of life. The Argentine Association of Asthma Patients (AAPA), with scientific societies, initiated the First National Asthma Detection Campaign—a voluntary, week-long endeavour to confirm asthma status. <bold>Objective:</bold> Presenting insights from the asthma detection initiative, with a focus on patient evaluation outcomes. <bold>Methodology:</bold> The campaign targeted the general population through AAPA's networks, reaching over 3 million. Participants underwent triage via five clinical questions, followed by in-person or virtual consultations for diagnosis. <bold>Results:</bold> Out of 331 scheduled medical appointments (with a total of 437 offers), 118 patients were diagnosed with asthma: 46% mild, 50% moderate, and 4% severe. Notably, 94 patients (79.66%) sought multiple consultations, and 34.74% endured symptoms for 5 years before diagnosis. Furthermore, 68.64% had coexisting allergic diseases, with 59.32% exhibiting allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Regarding treatment, 36.44% relied solely on SABA therapy. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Asthma diagnosis can take over 5 years. Among undiagnosed patients, 50% have a moderate disease severity, and 36.44% receive minimal treatment. Proactive interventions for early diagnosis and treatment are essential for improving life quality in asthma patients.