Prevalencia de alteraciones digestivas asociadas a Chagas importado (estudio PADChI): un estudio observacional

Abstract

BackgroundChagas disease (CD) is a parasitic disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi in which up to 10% to 20% of those affected may experience digestive disorders. Multiple studies have been carried out on CD in non-endemic countries, mainly related to cardiological involvement. However, digestive disorders have not been analyzed in such depth. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of digestive disorders in imported CD at the time of first care. MethodsAn observational, cross-sectional, descriptive analysis of imported CD was performed. Chagasic structural damage and infectious digestive comorbidity were evaluated. The association between Chagasic structural damage and heart disease in Chagas patients was also investigated. ResultsAfter reviewing a total of 1,216 medical records, those of 464 patients were selected for analysis. Globally, the prevalence of digestive disorders in imported Chagas was 57.76% (95%CI: 53.25-62.27). The prevalence of infectious disease comorbidity was 40.73% (95%CI: 36.25-45.22). Colonic abnormalities were found in 84 of 378 barium enema patients. CD-related esophageal abnormalities were present in 63 of 380 patients studied by means of an esophagram. ConclusionsThe prevalence of digestive disorders associated with CD is high. Therefore, the presence of infectious diseases (mainly parasitic diseases and Helicobacter pylori infection) should be ruled out. It is important to rule out structural involvement in all symptomatic patients and asymptomatic patients should also be considered and offered the option of doing so.