Delay in Recognition of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension : Factors Identified From the REVEAL Registry

BackgroundPulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive and fatal disorder. Despite the emergence of effective therapy, PAH is commonly at an advanced stage when recognized. Factors associated with a prolonged symptomatic period before the recognition of PAH have not been fully evaluated.MethodsThe Registry to Evaluate Early and Long-term PAH Disease Management (REVEAL Registry) enrolled 2,967 US adult patients with PAH from March 2006 to September 2007. Patients were considered to have delayed disease recognition if > 2 years elapsed between symptom onset and the patient receiving a PAH diagnosis, starting on PAH-specific therapy, or receiving a diagnosis by right-sided heart catheterization.ResultsIn 21.1% of patients, symptoms were experienced for > 2 years before PAH was recognized. Patients with onset of PAH symptoms before age 36 years showed the highest likelihood of delayed disease recognition (OR, 3.07; 95% CI, 2.03–4.66). History of obstructive airways disease (OR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.5–2.47) and sleep apnea (OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.33–2.22) were independently associated with delayed PAH recognition. Six-minute walk distance < 250 m (OR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.16–3.13), right atrial pressure < 10 mm Hg (OR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.26–2.48), and pulmonary vascular resistance < 10 Wood units (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.02–1.60) were also associated with delayed disease recognition, but sex, race/ethnicity, and geographic region showed no association.ConclusionsOne in five patients in the REVEAL Registry who were diagnosed with PAH reported symptoms for > 2 years before their disease was recognized. Younger individuals and patients with histories of common respiratory disorders were most likely to experience delayed PAH recognition.Trial registryClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT00370214; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov