[Primary care physicians' knowledge about allergic rhinitis and its impact on asthma (ARIA guidelines): a comparative Brazilian/Paraguayan/Uruguayan pilot study].

BACKGROUND

Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) establishes guidelines for the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR) and its comorbidities.

OBJECTIVE

To assess and compare the level of knowledge about AR and ARIA guidelines among primary care physicians (PCP) of Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.

METHODS

336 PCPs (Brazil 109, Paraguay 127, Uruguay 100) answered a questionnaire about personal and professional data and knowledge on RA and the ARIA guidelines; the Google Forms tool was used.

RESULTS

There was a predominance of females (73, 50.4 and 70 % in Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, respectively); 124 worked in the community and 75 in emergency departments. Brazil and Uruguay PCPs recognized AR symptoms; 67 % of those from Uruguay did not ask about a history of AR diagnosis, 93 % about an asthma diagnosis and 90 % about rhinitis interference with daily activities. Intranasal corticosteroids use: 78, 92 and 54 % of Brazilian, Paraguayan and Uruguayan doctors; 100, 73.4 and 78 % of Paraguayan, Brazilian and Uruguayan PCPs, respectively, did not refer the patient to a specialist; 26.6, 62 and 6 % of PCPs in Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, respectively, knew the ARIA guidelines.

CONCLUSIONS

AR is commonly looked after by PCPs, but the recognition of symptoms and knowledge about ARIA guidelines are low and treatment is not always optimal.