- In the world there are 10 different treatments for patients with this disease.
- Some estimates indicate that there are 4 thousand Mexicans with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.
- Having a National Day will allow, year after year, to make visible the needs and challenges that patients face.
While there are health-related events that have existed for decades, there are also others that have been created very recently. The clearest example is the National Day to Fight Pulmonary Hypertension which for the first time is commemorated on May 5, 2022. This seeks to give visibility to a rare disease about which very little is still known.
As a result of the collaboration between various key actors and after a legislative process that lasted five years, this date was finally made a reality. With this it is also expected that society will pay more attention to this problem.
“Today we are experiencing a shared success story thanks to the work and commitment of various factions, including patient groups, health professionals, the pharmaceutical industry and health authorities. Instituting this commemoration means one of the many steps we must take for the proper and timely care of patients. It represents the emergence of hope for those who suffer from the disease,” said Paula Cabral, spokesperson for the Mexican Association of Pulmonary Hypertension AC
About the Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, It is a little known disease. Its symptoms are nonspecific and are often confused with others. As a consequence, its detection is delayed up to three years. Hence, it is urgent to be able to identify it to obtain an early diagnosis and thus have better prospects for quality of life.
According to Dr. Nayeli Zayas, Head of the Department of Cardiopulmonology at the Ignacio Chávez National Institute of Cardiology, pulmonary arterial hypertension can affect people of all races, sexes, and ages. Although today it is known that it is usually more frequent in women between 30 and 50 years old.
Current panorama in Mexico
By affecting a population of productive age, it has economic, social and psychological implications. According to data from the Mexican Association of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, it is estimated that there are more than four thousand people living with this condition in the country.
Today there are various therapeutic options based on innovation and experience that have been shown to help patients have a better quality of life. Therefore, it is essential that there are access schemes for these new therapies, for the benefit of patients, caregivers and public and private health systems.
Current treatments
As Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension is a progressive disease, it is crucial to keep those who suffer from it under a combined treatment that helps improve the evolution of their health and delay the progression of the disease.
“Currently, we have more than 10 treatments around the world for the treatment of PAH. It has been proven that the combined use and timely staggering of these therapies improves both quality of life and patient survival,” said Dr. Tomás Pulido, Deputy Director of Clinical Research at the Ignacio Chávez National Institute of Cardiology.
Faced with the specific needs of Mexican patients, Dr. Héctor Glenn, Head of the Department of Pulmonary Physiology and Sleep Clinic of the Hospital de Cardiología No. 34 of the IMSS, highlighted that at the end of 2021 the Protocol for the Care of the Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension by the General Health Council (CSG), to provide adequate care with innovative therapies, for use and rapid escalation to improve the quality of life of patients.
This will make it possible to standardize the diagnosis of patients with PAH and ensure that all patients have a more complete diagnosis, as well as contemplate treatment options for patients at low and high risk, surgical alternatives, differentiation of subtypes of the disease; In addition, it marks the first guideline for pediatric care of the disease.
“PAH is a disease that has no cure. However, this milestone achieved will allow treating, channeling and generating truthful, adequate and official information for patients, family members and the general public about the actions and challenges faced with a PAH diagnosis. In addition, it will allow Mexico to join the world commemoration and support the global impact of the actions carried out in the different countries.”
Based on all of the above, the National Day to Fight Pulmonary Hypertension is of great importance. It also seeks to ensure that Mexico can access new treatments that help patients with this pathology.