Profile Of Chronic Disease Research Articles

An epidemiological profile of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background:Different definitions used for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) preclude getting reliable prevalence estimates. Study objective was to find the prevalence of COPD as per standard Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease definition, risk factors associated, and treatment seeking in adults >30 years.Methodology:Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Delhi, among 1200 adults, selected by systematic random sampling. Pretested questionnaire was used to interview all subjects and screen for symptoms of COPD. Postbronchodilator spirometry was done to confirm COPD.Statistical Analysis:Adjusted odds ratio (aOR) was calculated by multivariable analysis to examine the association of risk factors with COPD. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was developed to assess predictability. Results: The prevalence of COPD was 10.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 8.5, 11.9%). Tobacco smoking was the strongest risk factor associated (aOR 9.48; 95% CI 4.22, 14.13) followed by environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), occupational exposure, age, and biomass fuel. Each pack-year of smoking increased 15% risk of COPD. Ex-smokers had 63% lesser risk compared to current smokers. Clinical allergy seems to preclude COPD (aOR 0.06; 95% CI 0.02, 0.37). ROC analysis showed 94.38% of the COPD variability can be assessed by this model (sensitivity 57.4%; positive predictive value 93.3%). Only 48% patients were on treatment. Treatment continuation was impeded by its cost.Conclusion:COPD prevalence in the region of Delhi, India, is high, and our case-finding population study identified a high rate of patients who were not on any treatment. Our study adds to creating awareness on the importance of smoking cessation, early diagnosis of COPD, and the need for regular treatment.

Prevalence and etiological profile of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in nonsmokers.

Background:Tobacco smoking has been recognized as the most important risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for a long time, but recent studies have shown that nonsmokers also contribute to a significant proportion of COPD. This study was performed to find out the proportion of nonsmoker individuals among COPD patients and to determine various etiologies in nonsmoker COPD patients.Materials and Methods:This study was an observational cross-sectional study conducted in Department of Pulmonary Medicine, MLN Medical College, Allahabad. A total of 200 COPD patients, aged >18 years of either gender with COPD, diagnosed by clinical and spirometric criteria (GOLD guideline) were included in the study.Results:Of the 200 COPD patients, the proportion of nonsmoker patients was 56.5%, and the smoker was 43.5%. Among 113 nonsmoker COPD patients, maximum number of patients (69.03%) belonged to low socioeconomic status but most important and statistically significant risk factor was exposure to biomass smoke (53.98%), other significant risk factors were treated pulmonary tuberculosis (32.74%), and long-standing asthma (14.16%). Risk factors that were not statistically significant were occupational exposure (9.73%), exposure to outdoor air pollution (3.54%), and lower respiratory tract infection during childhood (1.77%). The patients who were exposed to more than one risk factors, developed COPD at an earlier age.Conclusions:This study revealed that nonsmokers contribute a significant proportion of COPD patients. Multiple risk factors other than smoking also play a major role in the development of COPD, particularly exposure to biomass smoke, treated pulmonary tuberculosis, and long-standing asthma.

Correlation between peripheral blood cell transcriptomic profile and clinical parameters of chronic mitral valve disease in Dachshunds.

Studies identifying specific pathologically expressed genes have been performed on diseased myocardial tissue samples, however less invasive studies on gene expression of peripheral blood mononucleated cells give promising results. This study assessed transcriptomic data that may be used to evaluate Dachshunds with chronic mitral valve disease. Dachshunds with different stages of heart disease were compared to a control, healthy group. Microarray data analysis revealed clusters of patients with similar expression profiles. The clusters were compared to the clinical classification scheme. Unsupervised classification of the studied groups showed three clusters. Clinical and laboratory parameters of patients from the cluster 1 were in accordance with those found in patients without heart disease. Data obtained from patients from the cluster 3 were typical of advanced heart failure patients. Comparison of the cluster 1 and 3 groups revealed 1133 differentially expressed probes, 7 significantly regulated process pathways and 2 significantly regulated Ariadne Metabolic Pathways. This study may serve as a guideline for directing future research on gene expression in chronic mitral valve disease.

Prevalence and Clinical Profile of Chronic Kidney Diseases among Pediatric Patients Attending Al-Thawrah General Hospital in Sana’a City, Yemen

Prevalence and Clinical Profile of Chronic Kidney Diseases among Pediatric Patients Attending Al-Thawrah General Hospital in Sana’a City, Yemen

PUK14 - Clinical Profile and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease in Indian Geriatric Patients at a Public Tertiary Care Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study

PUK14 - Clinical Profile and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease in Indian Geriatric Patients at a Public Tertiary Care Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study

Health-related quality of life of older Asian patients with multimorbidity in primary care in a developed nation.

Older adults are susceptible to two or more chronic ailments or multimorbidity. The present study aimed to establish the relationship between multimorbidity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) amongst Asian elderly patients in primary care in a developed nation. It also assessed how functional disability and chronic musculoskeletal pain are associated with HRQoL. A cross-sectional study was carried out in a Singapore public primary care clinic. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on chronic disease profile, HRQoL (using the European Quality of Life 5 Dimension), basic activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, musculoskeletal pain and sociodemographic characteristics. The association of multimorbidity, functional disability and chronic musculoskeletal pain with HRQoL was assessed using multivariate linear regression analysis. A total of 498 outpatients aged 65 years and older with multimorbidity were enrolled. Their mean age was 73.9 years, and approximately 75% had between two and four chronic conditions. The most commonly reported chronic conditions were hypertension (86.1%), hyperlipidemia (80.7%), diabetes (40.2%) and arthritis (33.3%). The European Quality of Life 5 Dimension index score decreased significantly when the number of comorbidities was more than five. Chronic hip and knee pain, one or more "dependent" activities of daily living dimensions and two or more "dependent" IADL dimensions were independently associated with worse HRQoL. Multimorbidity is associated with poorer HRQoL amongst older adults in Singapore. Review of chronic musculoskeletal pain and functional disabilities should be integrated into the comprehensive assessment of older adults in an enhanced model of primary care to improve the HRQoL of these older patients. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1429-1437.

Worldwide growing epidemic of CKD: fact or fiction?

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is recognized as a major noncommunicable disease of growing epidemic dimension worldwide. However, recent surveys have shown a marked heterogeneity of CKD prevalence in the general population, from ∼5% to 13% across countries. Methodological issues, genetic diversity, and dietary factors may all play a role. An important, currently emerging aspect of CKD epidemiology is the variability of CKD trends over time, with some countries showing a stable or even a decreased prevalence.

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF STANDARD COAGULATION PROFILE IN NON-DIALYZED AND POST-DIALYZED PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE.

Aims and Objectives: This comparative cross sectional study assessed whether there was any subtle change in the standard coagulation profile of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients who needed no dialysis or who were dialysis candidates but had not yet started dialysis. Aim of this study was to find out any correlation between patients’ coagulation parameters and their degree of uremia. Materials and Methods: A total 30 CKD patients were carefully selected and assigned to three groups after excluding patients who were predisposed to bleeding diathesis. Group A—10 CKD patients on the verge of hemodialysis (HD); Group B—10 CKD patients who were clinically and biochemically stable and on renal replacement therapy in the form of HD; and Group C—10 CKD patients who were in the early stages of standard medical treatment. A coagulation profile study was done for all three groups using nonparametric statistical analysis. Results and Discussion: Significant thrombocytopenia and prolongation of prothrombin time (PT) were present in (Group A), whereas no significant coagulation abnormality was noted in the other two groups. A significant correlation was found between uremia (creatinine clearance) and platelet count, P time, and APTT in Group B and Group C patients and with bleeding time in patients stable with conservative management (Group C). Conclusion: The study shows coagulation parameters are progressively affected with the progress of renal disease and that dialysis has an important impact on coagulopathy in CKD.  But the coagulation parameters showed no statistically significant correlation with degree of uremia

Epidemiological Profile of Chronic Kidney Disease at the General Hospital of National Reference of N’Djamena (Chad)

Introduction: Chronic renal failure is a disease that affects many patients worldwide and increasingly in Africa. At the end of 2003, about 1.1 million people were suffering from End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and were treated with periodic dialysis [12]. In Africa, CKF represents 2% to 10% of hospital admissions and is responsible for 4% to 22% of deaths [14]. So, this study is conducted for the first time in Chad, with the aims to determine the prevalence of CKD. Methods: This was a retrospective, descriptive and analytical study over a period of 12 months from April 29, 2011 to April 28, 2012. All patients with chronic renal failure regardless of etiology and stage of chronic kidney disease were included in the study. Chronic renal failure was defined as a glomerular filtration rate below 60 ml/min/1.73m (MDRD) for more than 3 months. This study was conducted in several departments of the National General Reference Hospital (NGRH) of N’Djamena. Result: Among 2039 inpatients, 195 patients had chronic renal failure, as a frequency of 9.6%. The average age of our patients was 51 ± 16.8 years, ranging from 11 to 85 years. Male predominance was noted to be 59% of men against 41% of women. We noted that high blood pressure accounted for 66.2% (N = 129) of cases, diabetes in 48.2% (N = 94), alcoholism in 28.7% (N = 56), smoking in 14.9% (N = 29) and the association alcoholism-smoking in 19.5% (N = 38). Hypertension was the leading cause of chronic renal failure (66.2%). All patients had a serum creatinine and creatinine clearance was assessed. Among them, we noted 57 patients (29%) with end-stage renal failure. The average calcium and phosphate serum were 1.8 mmol/l and 1.6 mmol/l, respectively. We noted that 120 patients as 61.5%, currently took herbal medicine. 48 out of 57 of our patients with ESRD as 24.6% of patients in the study had received replacement therapy (hemodialysis) with 12.5% of deaths. Conclusion: Chad, who compiled the first study with 195 patients at the General Hospital of N’Djamena National Reference over a period of one year has objectified a prevalence of chronic renal failure of 9.6%.

Overall immune profile and effect of chronic kidney disease on vaccination schedule

Overall immune profile and effect of chronic kidney disease on vaccination schedule

Cross-Sectional Association between Length of Incarceration and Selected Risk Factors for Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases in Two Male Prisons of Mexico City.

BackgroundMexico City prisons are characterized by overcrowded facilities and poor living conditions for housed prisoners. Chronic disease profile is characterized by low prevalence of self reported hypertension (2.5%) and diabetes (1.8%) compared to general population; 9.5% of male inmates were obese. There is limited evidence regarding on the exposure to prison environment over prisoner’s health status; particularly, on cardiovascular disease risk factors. The objective of this study is to assess the relationship between length of incarceration and selected risk factors for non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs).Methods and FindingsWe performed a cross-sectional analysis using data from two large male prisons in Mexico City (n = 14,086). Using quantile regression models we assessed the relationship between length of incarceration and selected risk factors for NCDs; stratified analysis by age at admission to prison was performed. We found a significant negative trend in BMI and WC across incarceration length quintiles. BP had a significant positive trend with a percentage change increase around 5% mmHg. The greatest increase in systolic blood pressure was observed in the older age at admission group.ConclusionsThis analysis provides insight into the relationship between length of incarceration and four selected risk factors for NCDs; screening for high blood pressure should be guarantee in order to identify at risk individuals and linked to the prison’s health facility. It is important to assess prison environment features to approach potential risk for developing NCDs in this context.

Comprehensive analysis of gene-expression profile in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

ObjectiveTo investigate the gene-expression profile of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and explore the possible therapeutic targets.MethodsThe microarray raw dataset GSE29133, including three COPD samples and three normal samples, was obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus. After data preprocessing with the Affy package, Student’s t-test was employed to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The up- and downregulated DEGs were then pooled for gene-ontology and pathway-enrichment analyses using the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). The upstream regulatory elements of these DEGs were also explored by using Whole-Genome rVISTA. Furthermore, we constructed a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network for DEGs. The surfactant protein D (SP-D) serum level and HLA-A gene frequency in COPD patients and healthy controls were also measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively.ResultsA total of 39 up- and 15 downregulated DEGs were screened. Most of the upregulated genes were involved in the immune response process, while the downregulated genes were involved in the steroid metabolic process. Moreover, we also found that HLA-A has the highest degree in the PPI network. The SP-D serum level and HLA-A gene frequency in COPD patients were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (13.62±2.09 ng/mL vs 10.28±2.86 ng/mL; 62.5% vs 12.5%; P<0.05).ConclusionOur results may help further the understanding of the mechanisms of COPD. The identified DEGs, especially HLA-A, may serve as diagnosis markers for COPD.

The dietary profile of socially vulnerable participants in health promotion programs in a brazilian metropolis.

To analyze the dietary profile of participants who used two health promotion services located in socially vulnerable areas in a Brazilian metropolis. A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted with participants (n = 370) aged ≥ 20 years who joined two services of the Academias da Cidade program in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The study participants engaged in physical activity and nutritional education actions directed by the services from 2009 to 2010. The sociodemographic and economic conditions and health and nutrition profiles of each individual were assessed. Participants from a high social-risk who used the service did not demonstrate adequate intake of vegetables (54.6 versus 43.6%; p = 0.038), sweets (33.5 versus 23.2%; p = 0.030), soft drinks (28.5 versus 11.9%; p < 0.001), artificial juice (34.7 versus 22.6%; p = 0.011), and processed meat (48.8 versus 32.7; p = 0.002). However, in the other service, lower social vulnerability, a higher prevalence of abdominal adiposity (60.7 versus 43.0%; p = 0.004) and consumption of high-fat meat products (53.0 versus 36.5%; p = 0.002) was observed. Participants who used both services demonstrated inadequate food intake compatible with the development of chronic disease profiles. However, the participants in each service were distinct from each other. This suggests that promotion of healthy eating should to contemplate the territory and its interface with people health.

Pattern and profile of chronic liver disease in acute on chronic liver failure.

The etiology of the chronic liver disease (CLD) in patients with acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) may vary from region to region. The major cause of underlying CLD is viral (hepatitis B and C) in the East, while it is alcohol related in the West and in some parts of the Indian subcontinent. Autoimmune liver disease and Wilson's disease are the major underlying etiologies in the pediatric age group. The patients with CLD without cirrhosis should be included when defining ACLF. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease related chronic liver insult in patients with known risk factors for progressive disease should be taken as a chronic liver disease in the setting of ACLF, whereas fatty liver with normal aminotransferases in low risk patients should not. The patients with CLD and previous decompensation should be excluded. Diagnosis of chronic liver disease in the setting of ACLF is made by history, physical examination and previously available or recent laboratory, endoscopic or radiological investigations. A liver biopsy through the transjugular route may help in cases where the presence of underlying CLD or its cause is not clear. The need of liver biopsy in ACLF should, however, be individualized. Standardization of liver biopsy assessment is essential for a uniform approach to the diagnosis and treatment of CLD and acute insult. Tools to measure liver stiffness may aid in identifying patients with advanced fibrosis. Studies are needed to validate the performance of these tests in the setting of ACLF.

Chronic Liver Diseases in Children: Clinical Profile and Histology.

The main aim of the study is to study the clinical profile of disorders of the liver and hepatobiliary system in paediatric patients and to correlate the histopathology findings of liver biopsy in chronic liver disease. Another aim being to assess the prognosis and to know the outcome and the effects of treatment in chronic liver diseases in paediatric age group. It was a prospective study, included the clinical profile of Chronic Liver Diseases (CLD) in children and the histopathological correlation. A total of 55 children were thoroughly investigated by doing relevant investigations and liver biopsy. A male predominance (60%) was noted with maximum incidence in the age group of 6-12 years. The incidence of CLD was 1.1% of total admissions. The most common presenting complaint was jaundice and abdominal distension. Hepatic encephalopathy was noted in 29% patients. Hepatomegaly was seen in 63% patients and spleenomegaly was seen in 60% patients. The incidence of cirrhosis on liver biopsy was 42% (23cases) in CLD patients. The most common diagnosis on histopathology was Wilson's disease (22%), followed by hepatitis and autoimmune hepatitis. The predominant spectrum of CLD was metabolic liver disease and also the predominant cause of death. As the incidence of CLD is quite low, a very high index of suspicion is required for its diagnosis. Some uncommon causes of CLD in children were seen in our study like neutral lipid storage disease, α1-Antitrypsin deficiency disease, lupus hepatitis, Alagille syndrome and Budd-Chiari syndrome. A patient of CLD with jaundice and hepatomegaly should be treated aggressively as those are the poor prognostic indicators of the disease. Hepatic encephalopathy and cirrhosis are also associated with poor outcome in patients with CLD. Liver biopsy histopathology by an expert and its correlation with laboratory investigations plays an important role in the diagnosis of CLD. The major cause of deaths in patients with CLD is due to end stage liver disease and fulminant hepatic failure and the only way to prevent and treat these patients is by liver transplantation.

Prevalence and cardiovascular risk profile of chronic kidney disease in Italy: results of the 2008-12 National Health Examination Survey.

National surveys in countries outside Europe have reported a high prevalence (11-13%) of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Studies in Europe have provided a variable prevalence likely due to differences in study design, including age and extent of geographic areas, equation used to evaluate estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and CKD stages examined. The 2008-12 National Health Examination Survey in Italy randomly extracted samples from the general population aged 35-79 years, stratified by age and gender, from the resident list of each Italian region (440 persons/1.5 million of residents). We estimated the prevalence of CKD by means of urinary albumin : creatinine ratio and eGFR (CKD-EPI equation-enzymatic assay of serum creatinine). Cardiovascular (CV) risk profile was also evaluated. Three thousand eight hundred and forty-eight men and 3704 women were examined. In the whole population, mean age was 57 ± 12 and 56 ± 12 years in men and women, respectively; hypertension was prevalent in men and women, respectively (56 and 43%) and the same held true for overweight (48 and 33%), obesity (26 and 27%), diabetes (14 and 9%) and smoking (21 and 18%), whereas CV disease was less frequent (9 and 6%). Overall, the prevalence of CKD (95% confidence interval) was 7.05% (6.48-7.65). Early stages constituted 59% of the CKD population [Stage G1-2 A2-3: 4.16% (3.71-4.61) and Stage G3-5: 2.89% (2.51-3.26)]. At multivariate regression analysis, age, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, CV disease and smoking were all independent correlates of CKD. CKD has a relatively lower prevalence in Italy, in particular for advanced stages, when compared with similar national surveys outside Europe. This occurs despite older age and unfavourable CV risk profile of the whole population.

Interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 blood levels' poor association with the severity and clinical profile of ex-smokers with COPD.

BackgroundThe role of interleukins in the severity and clinical profile of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is not known, but evidence supports the contribution of systemic inflammation to disease pathophysiology. This study evaluated the relationship of serum biomarkers to the severity and clinical parameters of COPD.Methods and findingsSerum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) were measured in 50 patients with stable COPD and in 16 controls. The levels of these biomarkers were compared with parameters of severity, such as the grading of flow obstruction using the recommendations of the Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, the BMI (body mass index), obstruction, dyspnea, exercise capacity (health index) index, the number of exacerbations within the last year, and peripheral oxygen saturation after the six-minute walk test, and with clinical parameters, such as bronchitis and non-bronchitis phenotypes, the number of associated comorbidities, and the smoking burden. COPD patients exhibited higher levels of IL-6 and IL-8 compared to the control group. Higher levels of IL-6 occurred in COPD groups with body mass index <21 kg/m2, with more than two exacerbations in the past year, with a higher smoking burden, and with bronchitis. The increase in serum IL-8 was found only in the group with the highest number of exacerbations within the previous year.ConclusionIncreased IL-6 was mainly associated with smoking burden, in patients who had smoked for more than 30 pack-years and exhibited a bronchitis phenotype. No direct association was observed for both IL-6 and IL-8 blood levels with the severity of COPD in ex-smokers.

Risk Factors for Diabetic Retinopathy in Patients Attending Primary Care Settings

retinopathy during the year 2011 were reviewed. The following were documented: age, sex, duration of diabetes, glycated hemoglobin (A1C), blood pressure (BP), lipid profile, smoking status, presence or absence of chronic kidney disease and guardian drugs [Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACEi), Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs), Statins and Aspirin] used. In addition, patients with diabetes who were screened as normal (no DR) from 4 health centers were randomly selected and their medical records were reviewed to compare the above mentioned risk factors between those with and those without DR. Result: A total of 1,508 retinal screening forms were reviewed, 112 patients were diagnosed with DR. A total of 263 screened but had no DR were reviewed in the selected 4 health centers. In DR, uncontrolled A1C was found in 81 (72.3%) patients, high BP in 69 (61.6%) and Low Density Lipoprotein in 81 (72.3%). There was statistically significant association between A1C ≥ 53mmol/mol (P=0.000), increased diabetes duration (P=0.000), total cholesterol ≥5.2mmol/l (P=0.008), LDL ≥2.6mmol/l (P=0.002) and the presence of DR. There was no significant association between age, sex, BP, and triglycerides level ≥1.7mmol/l and presence of DR. The use of statins, ARBs, fibrates and aspirin was significantly higher in patients with DR. Conclusion: Control of the identified modifiable risk factors is suboptimal. The burden of DR can be reduced by more intensive control of these factors through effective use of the currently available guardian drugs.

Update on uncertain etiology of chronic kidney disease in Sri Lanka's north-central dry zone.

This manuscript updates a review previously published in a local journal in 2012, about a new form of chronic kidney disease that has emerged over the past two decades in the north-central dry zone of Sri Lanka, where the underlying causes remain undetermined. Disease burden is higher in this area, particularly North Central Province, and affects a rural and disadvantaged population involved in rice-paddy farming. Over the last decade several studies have been carried out to estimate prevalence and identify determinants of this chronic kidney disease of uncertain etiology. Summarize the available evidence on prevalence, clinical profile and risk factors of chronic kidney disease of uncertain etiology in the north-central region of Sri Lanka. PubMed search located 16 manuscripts published in peer-reviewed journals. Three peer-reviewed abstracts of presentations at national scientific conferences were also included in the review. Disease prevalence was 5.1%-16.9% with more severe disease seen in men than in women. Patients with mild to moderate stages of disease were asymptomatic or had nonspecific symptoms; urinary sediments were bland; 24-hour urine protein excretion was <1 g; and ultrasound demonstrated bilateral small kidneys. Interstitial fibrosis was the main pathological feature on renal biopsy. The possibility of environmental toxins affecting vulnerable population groups in a specific geographic area was considered in evaluating etiological factors. Pesticide residues were detected in affected patients' urine, and mycotoxins detected in foods were below maximum statutory limits. Calcium-bicarbonate-type water with high levels of fluoride was predominant in endemic regions. Significantly high levels of cadmium in urine of cases compared to controls, as well as the disease's dose-related response to these levels, has drawn attention to this element as a possible contributing factor. Familial clustering of patients is suggestive of a polygenic inheritance pattern comparable to that associated with diseases of multifactorial etiology. Available data suggest that chronic kidney disease of uncertain etiology is an environmentally acquired disease, but to date no definitive causal factor has been identified. Geographic distribution and research findings suggest a multifactorial etiology.

Decreased level of antibodies and cardiac involvement in patients with chronic Chagas heart disease vaccinated with BCG

Studies indicate that Trypanosoma cruzi is capable of inducing immunological disturbances such as decreased expression of molecules involved in T-cell survival and costimulation for antigen-driven T-cell responses. On the other hand, several reports have described that BCG vaccination induces a T-helper 1-type immune response with protective effects in different pathologies. In this regard, we evaluated whether BCG vaccination coexists with a better clinical and immunological profile of chronic Chagas heart disease (CCHD). We performed a cross-sectional study in T. cruzi seropositive patients categorized according the BCG vaccine background and to the well-established CCHD classification provided by Storino et al. All individuals were subjected to a complete clinical examination. All patients presented detectable levels of autoantibodies anti-p2β, anti-B13, anti-FRA and antiparasite homogenate immunoglobulins, which were unrelated to age and sex distribution or blood pressure values. Comparisons according to BCG vaccination revealed that individuals who had not been vaccinated presented higher values of antibodies, and patients without BCG vaccine had an OR of 6.1 (95% CI 1.23-29.25, p=0.02) for globally dilated cardiomyopathy with reduced ejection fraction (Hosmer and Lemeshow test of 5.2 p=0.73). Our results suggest that BCG vaccination coexists with a better clinical and immunological profile of CCHD, associated with lower cardiac involvement.