Gastrointestinal Manifestations of Chagas Disease: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of gastrointestinal manifestations among individuals with positive serology for Chagas disease (ChD) and to describe the clinical gastrointestinal manifestations of the disease. A systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted based on the criteria and recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. The PubMed, Scopus, Virtual Health Library, Web of Science, and Embase databases were used to search for evidence. Two reviewers independently selected eligible articles and extracted data. RStudio® software was used for the meta-analysis. For subgroup analysis, the studies were divided according to the origin of the individuals included: 1) individuals from health units were included in the health care service prevalence analysis, and 2) individuals from the general population were included in the population prevalence analysis. A total of 2,570 articles were identified, but after removal of duplicates and application of inclusion criteria, 24 articles were included and 21 were part of the meta-analysis. Most of the studies were conducted in Brazil. Radiological diagnosis was the most frequent method used to identify the gastrointestinal clinical form. The combined effect of meta-analysis studies showed a prevalence of gastrointestinal manifestations in individuals with ChD of 12% (95% CI, 8.0-17.0%). In subgroup analysis, the prevalence for studies involving health care services was 16% (95% CI, 11.0-23.0%), while the prevalence for population-based studies was 9% (95% CI, 5.0-15.0%). Megaesophagus and megacolon were the main forms of ChD presentation in the gastrointestinal form. The prevalence of gastrointestinal manifestations of ChD was 12%. Knowing the prevalence of ChD in its gastrointestinal form is an important step in planning health actions for these patients.

Chagas disease and perceived quality of life: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Chagas disease (ChD) is a neglected tropical disease that is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and can negatively impact quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to assess and compare QoL between individuals with and without ChD. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed within a concurrent cohort study (REDS). The participants were derived from two blood donation centers: São Paulo capital and Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Participants with ChD were identified in blood donations by serological diagnosis between 2008 and 2010, and those without ChD were donors with negative serology identified during the same period. QoL was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to compare sociodemographic and clinical characteristics between the groups, and mean, standard deviation, and beta regression were used to compare QoL. RESULTS: In total, 611 individuals participated in the study (328 with ChD and 283 without ChD). Participants with ChD had lower QoL in the physical (p=0.02) and psychological (p<0.01) domains than did individuals without CD. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with ChD had worse QoL perceptions. These results provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of ChD on individuals' QoL, while also highlighting potential opportunities for improving the care and treatment of those affected.

Overview of Chagas disease surveillance in an endemic region in Southeastern Brazil.

Chagas disease (CD) is a neglected disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. It has high morbidity and mortality rates and mainly affects socially vulnerable populations. This is a cross-sectional study, with retrospective and prospective data collection. Using questionnaires applied to environmental surveillance coordinators, we characterized the status of CD surveillance activities in municipalities endemic for the disease in Northern Minas Gerais State (MG) and Jequitinhonha Valley (Vale do Jequitinhonha). Moreover, we spatialized the vulnerability index for chronic CD in the study area. The population consisted of 22 environmental surveillance coordinators, active in 2020, from Northern MG and Jequitinhonha Valley, 21 municipalities included in the SaMi-Trop research project, and Montes Claros municipality. After applying the questionnaires to the coordinators, a descriptive analysis of the variables was performed. To characterize the active municipalities, the explanatory variables collected in the questionnaire were compared with the dichotomous variable. Bivariate descriptive analysis was performed. Finally, geoprocessing techniques were used to spatialize the data and prepare maps. Regarding the team of endemic combat agents (ECA), 90.9% reported the lack of a specific team for CD vector control actions. Of the 22 municipalities participating in this study, nine were active (41.1%). Only 25% (n=2) of active municipalities (9% of the municipalities studied) met the target of visiting 50% of households per year. Finally, 81.1% of the coordinators stated that in their municipality, they developed actions linked to primary health care (PHC). The implementation of CD surveillance activities weakened in the endemic region. Few municipalities have a surveillance team, with low regularity of active surveillance and noncompliance with the program's goal. The results suggest insufficient recording of activities in the information system, considering that there are municipalities that report performing the activities, but no production record was observed in the system.

Evaluation of the properties of WHODAS-12 measurements in individuals with Chagas disease in Brazil.

Numerous tests employed to predict cardiac and functional status are expensive and not widely accessible for a considerable number of patients, particularly those diagnosed with Chagas disease (CD) residing in remote and endemic regions. To date, there is no knowledge of studies that have validated instruments that address functionality in an expanded way, including the biopsychosocial factors in patients with CD. This study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0), in its 12-item shortened version (WHODAS-12) when applied to patients with CD. This is a cross-sectional study of a prospective cohort that follows individuals with CD (SaMi-Trop). Data collection took place between October 2019 and March 2020. In the interviews, sociodemographic information, life habits, clinical information, and indicators of disability measured by WHODAS-12 were collected. Descriptive analysis, internal consistency and construct validity of the instrument were performed. A total of 628 patients with CD were interviewed, most were women (69.5%), their mean age was of 57 years, and most declared an average self-perception of health (43.4%). The 12 items of WHODAS-12 were distributed into three factors, which together account for 61% of the variance. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) index was 0.90, indicating adequacy of the sample for factor analysis. The internal consistency of the global scale showed alpha = 0.87. The percentage of incapacity was 16.05%, indicating mild incapacity for the evaluated patients. WHODAS-12 is a valid and reliable measure to assess the disability of the Brazilian population with CD.

Chagas disease and perceived quality of life: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Background: Chagas disease (ChD) is a neglected tropical disease that is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and can negatively impact quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to assess and compare QoL between individuals with and without ChD. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed within a concurrent cohort study (REDS). The participants were derived from two blood donation centers: São Paulo capital and Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Participants with ChD were identified in blood donations by serological diagnosis between 2008 and 2010, and those without ChD were donors with negative serology identified during the same period. QoL was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to compare sociodemographic and clinical characteristics between the groups, and mean, standard deviation, and beta regression were used to compare QoL. Results: In total, 611 individuals participated in the study (328 with ChD and 283 without ChD). Participants with ChD had lower QoL in the physical (p=0.02) and psychological (p<0.01) domains than did individuals without CD. Conclusions: Individuals with ChD had worse QoL perceptions. These results provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of ChD on individuals' QoL, while also highlighting potential opportunities for improving the care and treatment of those affected.

Overview of Chagas disease surveillance in an endemic region in Southeastern Brazil

ABSTRACT Chagas disease (CD) is a neglected disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. It has high morbidity and mortality rates and mainly affects socially vulnerable populations. This is a cross-sectional study, with retrospective and prospective data collection. Using questionnaires applied to environmental surveillance coordinators, we characterized the status of CD surveillance activities in municipalities endemic for the disease in Northern Minas Gerais State (MG) and Jequitinhonha Valley (Vale do Jequitinhonha). Moreover, we spatialized the vulnerability index for chronic CD in the study area. The population consisted of 22 environmental surveillance coordinators, active in 2020, from Northern MG and Jequitinhonha Valley, 21 municipalities included in the SaMi-Trop research project, and Montes Claros municipality. After applying the questionnaires to the coordinators, a descriptive analysis of the variables was performed. To characterize the active municipalities, the explanatory variables collected in the questionnaire were compared with the dichotomous variable. Bivariate descriptive analysis was performed. Finally, geoprocessing techniques were used to spatialize the data and prepare maps. Regarding the team of endemic combat agents (ECA), 90.9% reported the lack of a specific team for CD vector control actions. Of the 22 municipalities participating in this study, nine were active (41.1%). Only 25% (n=2) of active municipalities (9% of the municipalities studied) met the target of visiting 50% of households per year. Finally, 81.1% of the coordinators stated that in their municipality, they developed actions linked to primary health care (PHC). The implementation of CD surveillance activities weakened in the endemic region. Few municipalities have a surveillance team, with low regularity of active surveillance and noncompliance with the program's goal. The results suggest insufficient recording of activities in the information system, considering that there are municipalities that report performing the activities, but no production record was observed in the system.

Evaluation of the properties of WHODAS-12 measurements in individuals with Chagas disease in Brazil

ABSTRACT Numerous tests employed to predict cardiac and functional status are expensive and not widely accessible for a considerable number of patients, particularly those diagnosed with Chagas disease (CD) residing in remote and endemic regions. To date, there is no knowledge of studies that have validated instruments that address functionality in an expanded way, including the biopsychosocial factors in patients with CD. This study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0), in its 12-item shortened version (WHODAS-12) when applied to patients with CD. This is a cross-sectional study of a prospective cohort that follows individuals with CD (SaMi-Trop). Data collection took place between October 2019 and March 2020. In the interviews, sociodemographic information, life habits, clinical information, and indicators of disability measured by WHODAS-12 were collected. Descriptive analysis, internal consistency and construct validity of the instrument were performed. A total of 628 patients with CD were interviewed, most were women (69.5%), their mean age was of 57 years, and most declared an average self-perception of health (43.4%). The 12 items of WHODAS-12 were distributed into three factors, which together account for 61% of the variance. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) index was 0.90, indicating adequacy of the sample for factor analysis. The internal consistency of the global scale showed alpha = 0.87. The percentage of incapacity was 16.05%, indicating mild incapacity for the evaluated patients. WHODAS-12 is a valid and reliable measure to assess the disability of the Brazilian population with CD.

Hospitalizations due to gastrointestinal Chagas disease: National registry.

OBJECTIVES: Analyze the hospitalizations of patients admitted for Chagas disease with gastro-intestinal involvement (CD-GI) in the Brazilian Unified Health System, describe the epidemiological profile, mortality and costs. METHODS: This is an observational study that uses secondary data from the National Hospital Information System (SIH-SUS) for the years 2017-2019. CD-GI admissions were defined by specific ICD-10 codes that identify the main diagnosis. RESULTS: From 2017 to 2019, there were 4,407 hospitalizations for CD-GI in Brazil, considering only public hospitals and those associated with the SUS. This corresponds to an average of 1,470 hospitalizations per year, or 0.6 per 100,000 inhabitants, with significant regional variation. Hospitalizations increased with age and were slightly higher in men. More than 60% were emergencies and in 50% the procedure performed was surgical. The most used code was the one for megaesophagus followed by megacolon. In-hospital mortality was 5.8% and 17.2% went to intensive care units. The median cost was USD$ 553.15 per hospitalization, and an overall cost of USD$ 812,579.98 per year to the SUS budget. CONCLUSION: The numbers, rates and costs presented here are possibly underestimated but they give us an idea of the overall profile of hospitalizations due to CD-GI, which are not rare and are related to significant in-hospital mortality. CD-GI is a neglected manifestation of a neglected disease.

Cohort profile update: the main and new findings from the SaMi-Trop Chagas cohort.

The SaMi-Trop project is a cohort study conducted in 21 municipalities of endemic areas of Chagas disease, including 1,959 patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy. In this article we updated the results of the project, adding information from the second cohort visit. Trypanosoma cruzi-seropositive patients were enrolled from the primary care Telehealth service in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The eligibility criterium for the second visit was the participation in the baseline evaluation. Of 1,959 participants at the baseline assessment, 1,585 (79.9%) returned after two years for the second evaluation. The mortality rate was 6.7%, but varied from 0.9% to 18.2% when it was stratified by certain clinical characteristics. A lower age-adjusted NT-Pro-BNP level (less than 300) and a prior benznidazole treatment were associated with lower mortality. There was an improvement in most quality of life domain scores. Participants have also reported fewer signs and symptoms and greater use of medication. The second follow-up visit will be complete in Oct 2021.

Quality of life in patients with Chagas disease and the instrument used: an integrative review.

Chagas disease (CD) is a neglected tropical highly morbid disease that can have a negative impact on the quality of life (QoL). The purpose of this study was to conduct an integrative review to analyze the QoL of patients with CD in the chronic phase of the disease, as well as the instruments used and the effect of different interventions. The review was carried out based on the criteria and recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes guideline (PRISMA) using the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Science Direct databases. An analysis of the reference list of the included articles was also carried out. Publications in all languages have been included. Two independent reviewers selected the eligible articles and extracted the data. A total of 1,479 articles were identified, and after applying the inclusion criteria 18 articles were included. Four different instruments were used to assess QoL and the most used was the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLWHFQ) [33.3% (n = 6)]. Investigations involving intervention showed a positive impact on the patients' QoL, and the Environment domain had the lowest score. Heterogeneity of instruments and lack of methodology standardization for assessing QoL was observed. QoL proved to be an important indicator for the planning and monitoring of patients with CD, however it is suggested that the instruments for its assessment should be the ones recommended by the validation studies. This process will allow the comparison of data between investigations.

Vigilância ativa de eventos adversos pós-vacinação na atenção primária à saúde / Observación activa de eventos adversos posvacunación en la Atención Primaria de Salud / Active surveillance of adverse events following immunization in primary health care

Resumo Objetivo Descrever a vigilância ativa dos eventos adversos pós-vacinação, sua incidência e fatores associados, em um município de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Métodos Coorte prospectiva realizada na Atenção Primária à Saúde, entre 2017 e 2018. Foram acompanhados 384 indivíduos que receberam vacinas, excluindo-se aqueles que tiveram eventos adversos prévios. Na linha de base, foram coletadas informações sociodemográficas, de saúde e histórico de vacinação e, no seguimento, as características do evento adverso e das ações de vigilância epidemiológica. Estimou-se taxa de incidência de eventos adversos, e realizaram-se o teste do qui-quadrado, a regressão de Poisson e o teste de Hosmer-Lemeshow. Resultados A incidência de eventos adversos foi de 13,36 casos/100 mil doses de vacinas (intervalo de confiança de 95%: 13,34-13,38), com maior incidência em crianças menores de 5 anos. Os eventos adversos mais frequentes foram dor local, vermelhidão, endurecimento, seguidos de febre e choro persistente. Dentre os fatores associados à ocorrência dos eventos adversos, recebimento da vacina contra tétano e difteria (risco relativo: 7,9; intervalo de confiança de 95%: 2,77-12,46) e administração por meio da via intramuscular foram considerados de risco (risco relativo: 6,1; intervalo de confiança de 95%: 2,55-14,63). A conduta do profissional de enfermagem, diante das orientações sobre as vacinas recebidas, aumentou a notificação de eventos adversos (risco relativo: 3,4; intervalo de confiança de 95%: 1,53-7,68). Conclusão O estudo permitiu conhecer fatores que favorecem a ocorrência de eventos adversos. Há evidências de que condutas adotadas pelos profissionais de enfermagem nas salas de vacinação podem evitar subnotificações de eventos adversos pós-vacinação.

Resumen Observación Describir la observación activa de los eventos adversos posvacunación, su incidencia y factores asociados en un municipio del estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Métodos Cohorte prospectiva realizada en la Atención Primaria de Salud, entre 2017 y 2018. Se realizó el seguimiento de 384 individuos que recibieron vacunas, excluyendo a aquellos que tuvieron eventos adversos previos. En la línea basal, se recopiló información sociodemográfica, de salud e historial de vacunación y, en el seguimiento, las características del evento adverso y las acciones de observación epidemiológica. Se estimó un índice de incidencia de eventos adversos y se realizó la prueba χ2 de Pearson, la regresión de Poisson y la prueba de Hosmer-Lemeshow. Resultados La incidencia de eventos adversos fue de 13,36 casos/100.000 dosis de vacuna (intervalo de confianza de 95 %: 13,34-13,38), con mayor incidencia en niños menores de 5 años. Los eventos adversos más frecuentes fueron dolor local, enrojecimiento, endurecimiento, seguidos de fiebre y llanto persistente. Entre los factores asociados a la ocurrencia de los eventos adversos, la aplicación de la vacuna contra el tétanos y la difteria (riesgo relativo: 7,9; intervalo de confianza de 95 %: 2,77-12,46) y la administración por medio de la vía intramuscular fueron considerados de riesgo (riesgo relativo: 6,1; intervalo de confianza de 95 %: 2,55-14,63). La conducta del profesional de enfermería ante las instrucciones sobre las vacunas recibidas aumentó la notificación de eventos adversos (riesgo relativo: 3,4; intervalo de confianza de 95 %: 1,53-7,68). Conclusión El estudio permitió conocer factores que favorecen a la ocurrencia de eventos adversos. Hay evidencias de que las conductas adoptadas por los profesionales de enfermería en las salas de vacunación pueden evitar subnotificaciones de eventos adversos posvacunación.

Abstract Objective To describe the active surveillance of adverse events following immunization, their incidence and associated factors in a municipality of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Methods This is a prospective cohort conducted in Primary Health Care between 2017 and 2018. A total of 384 individuals who received vaccines were followed up, excluding those who had previous adverse events. At baseline, sociodemographic, health and vaccination history information and, in follow-up, the characteristics of adverse events and epidemiological surveillance actions were collected. The incidence rate of adverse events was estimated, and the chi-square test, poisson regression and Hosmer-Lemeshow test were performed. Results The incidence of adverse events was 13.36 cases/100,000 doses of vaccines (95% confidence interval: 13.34-13.38), with a higher incidence in children under 5 years of age. The most frequent adverse events were local pain, redness, hardening, followed by fever and persistent crying. Among the factors associated with the occurrence of adverse events, receiving tetanus and diffrhyphria vaccine (relative risk: 7.9; 95% confidence interval: 2.77-12.46) and intramuscular administration were considered at risk (relative risk: 6.1; 95% confidence interval: 2.55-14.63). Nursing professionals' conduct, considering the guidelines on the vaccines received, increased adverse event reporting (relative risk: 3.4; 95% confidence interval: 1.53-7.68). Conclusion The study allowed to know factors that favor the occurrence of adverse events. There is evidence that conducts adopted by nursing professionals in immunization rooms may avoid underreporting of adverse events following immunization.

Factors associated with quality of life in patients with Chagas disease: SaMi-Trop project.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02646943.

Vigilância em saúde dos trabalhadores: potencialidades da matriz FPEEEA / Health surveillance of workers: potential of matrix FPEEEA

O presente estudo objetivou construir indicadores para a vigilância em saúde dos trabalhadores da extração e beneficiamento de pedras ornamentais, do tipo quartzito, do município de Guapé, Minas Gerais. A metodologia baseou-se na abordagem qualitativa comdelineamento para estudo de caso, utilizando-se técnicas como observação e discussões em grupo. Foi analisada a aplicação da matriz FPEEEA na perspectiva da vigilância em saúde dotrabalhador, sendo construídos problemas e indicadores a partir dessa matriz. As bases para a construção desse estudo foram a territorialização para a vigilância em saúde, a contribuição da atenção primária à saúde no processo de vigilância em saúde dos trabalhadores e aparticipação dos trabalhadores no processo de construção de diretrizes para a vigilância em saúde. Os resultados demonstram a importância da cadeia produtiva do quartzito para aeconomia loco-regional e a relação dos problemas apresentados na matriz e características dos trabalhadores, com vários determinantes sociais da saúde. Observou-se que a matriz FPEEEApode ser apropriada como instrumento para a vigilância em saúde dos trabalhadores. Demonstrou ainda, a importância e a viabilidade da incorporação da atenção primária à saúde como condutora das ações de vigilância em saúde dos trabalhadores.