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.

Text Messages to Promote Secondary Prevention after Acute Coronary Syndrome (IMPACS trial)

Abstract Background Short message service (SMS) to promote healthcare improves the control of cardiovascular risk factors, but there is a lack of evidence in low and middle-income countries, particularly after acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Objective This study aims to evaluate whether the use of SMS increases risk factor control after hospital discharge for ACS. Methods IMPACS is a 2-arm randomized trial with 180 patients hospitalized due to ACS at a tertiary hospital in Brazil. Eligible patients were randomized (1:1) to an SMS intervention (G1) or standard care (G2) upon hospital discharge. The primary endpoint was set to achieve 4 or 5 points in a risk factor control score, consisting of a cluster of 5 modifiable risk factors: LDL-C <70mg/dL, blood pressure (BP) <140/90mmHg, regular exercise (≥5 days/week, 30 minutes/session), nonsmoker status, and body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m2] at 6 months. Secondary outcomes were components of the primary outcome plus rehospitalization, cardiovascular death, and death from any cause. Results are designated as significant if p<0.05. Results From randomized patients, 147 were included in the final analysis. Mean age was 58 (51-64) years, 74% males. The primary outcome was achieved by 12 (16.2%) patients in G1 and 15 (20.8%) in G2 (OR=0.73, 95%CI 0.32-1.70, p=0.47). Secondary outcomes were also similar: LDL-C<70 mg/dl (p=0.33), BP<140/90 mmHg (p=0.32), non-smoker (p=0.74), regular exercise (p=0.97), BMI (p=0.71), and rehospitalization (p=0.06). Death from any cause occurred in three participants (2%), including one cardiovascular death in each group. Conclusion SMS intervention did not significantly improve cardiovascular risk factor control when compared to standard care in patients discharged after ACS in Brazil.

Left Ventricular Regional Wall Motion Abnormality is a Strong Predictor of Cardiotoxicity in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy / Alteração Contrátil Segmentar Ventricular Esquerda é Preditor Independente de Cardiotoxicidade em Pacientes com Câncer de Mama em Tratamento Quimioterápico

Abstract Background: Chemotherapeutic agents of anthracyclines class and humanized monoclonal antibodies are effective treatments for breast cancer, however, they present a potential risk of cardiotoxicity. Several predictors have been recognized as predictors in the development of cardiac toxicity, and the evaluation of left ventricular segmental wall motion abnormalities (LVSWMA) has not been studied. Objective: To analyze prospectively the role of LVSWMA among echocardiographic parameters in the prediction of development of cardiotoxicity in breast cancer patients undergoing treatment with chemotherapy. Methods: Prospective cohort of patients diagnosed with breast cancer and in chemotherapy treatment with potential cardiotoxicity medications including doxorubicin and trastuzumab. Transthoracic echocardiograms including speckle tracking strain echocardiography were performed at standard times before, during and after the treatment to assess the presence (or lack thereof) of cardiotoxicity. Cardiotoxicity was defined by a 10% decrease in the left ventricular ejection fraction, on at least one echocardiogram. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to verify the predictors related to the occurrence of cardiotoxicity over time. Results: Of the 112 patients selected (mean age 51,3 ± 12,9 years), 18 participants (16.1%) had cardiotoxicity. In the multivariate analysis using the logistic regression model, those with LVWMA (OR = 6.25 [CI 95%: 1.03; 37.95], p < 0,05), LV systolic dimension (1.34 [CI 95%: 1.01; 1.79], p < 0,05) and global longitudinal strain by speckle tracking (1.48 [CI 95%: 1.02; 2.12], p < 0,05) were strongly associated with cardiotoxicity. Conclusion: In the present study, we showed that LVWMA, in addition to global longitudinal strains, were strong predictors of cardiotoxicity and could be useful in the risk stratification of these patients.

Resumo Fundamento: Os agentes quimioterápicos da classe das antraciclinas e dos anticorpos monoclonais humanizados são tratamentos eficazes para o câncer de mama, entretanto, apresentam alto risco de cardiotoxicidade. Diversos parâmetros têm sido reconhecidos como preditores no desenvolvimento de toxicidade cardíaca, sendo que a avaliação da alteração contrátil segmentar ventricular esquerda (ACSVE) ainda não foi estudada. Objetivo: Analisar a associação entre o surgimento de ACSVE e o desenvolvimento de cardiotoxicidade em pacientes com câncer de mama em tratamento com quimioterapia. Métodos: Coorte prospectiva de pacientes diagnosticados com câncer de mama e em tratamento quimioterápico com doxorrubicina e/ou trastuzumab. Foram realizados ecocardiogramas transtorácicos antes, durante e depois do tratamento para avaliar a presença ou não de cardiotoxicidade. A cardiotoxicidade foi definida por um decréscimo de 10% na fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo, em pelo menos um ecocardiograma. Modelos de regressão logística multivariada foram utilizados para verificar os fatores preditores na ocorrência de cardiotoxicidade ao longo do tempo. Resultados: Dos 112 pacientes selecionados (idade média = 51,3 ± 12,9 anos), 18 (16,1%) apresentaram cardiotoxicidade. Na análise multivariada os pacientes com ACSVE (OR = 6,25 [IC 95%: 1,03; 37,95], p < 0,05), diâmetro sistólico do VE (OR = 1,34 [IC 95%:1,01; 1,79], p < 0,05) e strain longitudinal global pela técnica de speckle tracking (OR = 1,48 [IC 95%: 1,02; 2,12], p < 0,05) foram preditores significativos e independentes na predição de cardiotoxidade. Conclusão: Mostramos que ACSVE, bem como a redução do strain longitudinal global foram preditores independentes para cardiotoxicidade, podendo ser úteis na estratificação de risco destes pacientes.

Avaliação da interleucina 3 como marcador prognóstico na sepse / Role of interleukin-3 as a prognostic marker in septic patients

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a acurácia dos níveis de interleucina 3 para predizer prognóstico em pacientes sépticos. Métodos: Conduzimos uma coorte prospectiva que incluiu pacientes adultos internados em unidade de terapia intensiva, que apresentassem sepse ou choque séptico iniciados há até 48 horas. Mediram-se os níveis séricos de interleucina 3 quando da inclusão (dia 1) e nos dias 3 e 7. O desfecho primário analisado foi a mortalidade hospitalar por qualquer causa. Resultados: Foram incluídos 120 pacientes. Os níveis séricos de interleucina 3 dosados à inclusão foram significativamente mais elevados em pacientes que faleceram em comparação aos que sobreviveram à internação hospitalar (91,2pg/mL versus 36pg/mL; p = 0,024). Em modelo de sobrevivência de Cox com inclusão de idade e valores sequenciais de SOFA, os níveis de interleucina 3 mensurados na inclusão mantiveram-se independentemente associados à mortalidade hospitalar (HR 1,032; IC95% 1,010 - 1,055; p = 0,005). Em curva Característica de Operação do Receptor construída para investigação adicional da acurácia da interleucina 3 na predição do prognóstico, encontrou-se área sob a curva de 0,62 (IC95% 0,51 - 0,73; p = 0,024) para mortalidade hospitalar. Valores iniciais de interleucina 3 acima de 127,5pg/mL mostraram-se significativamente associados à mortalidade hospitalar (p = 0,019; OR = 2,97; IC95% 1,27 - 6,97; p = 0,019), entretanto com baixo desempenho (especificidade de 82%, sensibilidade de 39%, valor preditivo positivo de 53%, valor preditivo negativo de 72%, razão de verossimilhança negativa de 0,73 e razão de verossimilhança positiva de 2,16). Conclusão: Níveis elevados de interleucina 3 mostraram-se independentemente associados à mortalidade hospitalar em pacientes sépticos, entretanto com baixo desempenho clínico.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of IL-3 to predict the outcome of septic patients. Methods: Prospective cohort study with adult patients in an intensive care unit with sepsis or septic shock diagnosed within the previous 48 hours. Circulating IL-3 levels were measured upon inclusion (day 1) and on days 3 and 7. The primary outcome was hospital mortality. Results: One hundred and twenty patients were included. Serum levels of IL-3 on day 1 were significantly higher among patients who died than among patients who survived the hospital stay (91.2pg/mL versus 36pg/mL, p = 0.024). In a Cox survival model considering the IL-3 levels at inclusion, age and sequential SOFA, IL-3 values remained independently associated with mortality (HR 1.032; 95%CI 1.010 - 1.055; p = 0.005). An receiver operating characteristic curve was built to further investigate the accuracy of IL-3, with an area under the curve of 0.62 (95%CI 0.51 - 0.73; p = 0.024) for hospital mortality. A cutoff initial IL-3 value above 127.5pg/mL was associated with hospital mortality (OR 2.97; 95%CI: 1.27 - 6.97; p = 0.0019) but with a low performance (82% for specificity, 39% for sensibility, 53% for the positive predictive value, 72% for the negative predictive value, 0.73 for the negative likelihood and 2.16 for the positive likelihood ratio). Conclusion: Higher levels of IL-3 are shown to be independently associated with hospital mortality in septic patients but with poor clinical performance.

Association between Microvolt T-Wave Alternans and Malignant Ventricular Arrhythmias in Chagas Disease / Associação entre Microalternância de Onda T e Arritmias Ventriculares Malignas na Doença de Chagas

Abstract Background: Sudden cardiac death is the most frequent death mechanism in Chagas disease, responsible for 55% to 65% of the deaths of patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC). The most often involved electrophysiological mechanisms are ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) has a beneficial role in preventing sudden death due to malignant ventricular arrhythmias, and, thus the correct identification of patients at risk is required. The association of microvolt T-wave alternans (MTWA) with the appearance of ventricular arrhythmias has been assessed in different heart diseases. The role of MTWA is mostly unknown in patients with CCC. Objectives: To evaluate the association between MTWA and the occurrence of malignant ventricular arrhythmias in patients with CCC. Method: This is a case-control study including patients with CCC and ICD, with history of malignant ventricular arrhythmias (case group), and patients with CCC and no history of those arrhythmias (control group). The MTWA test results were classified as negative and non-negative (positive and indeterminate). The significance level adopted was a = 0.05. Results: We recruited 96 patients, 45 cases (46.8%) and 51 controls (53.1%). The MTWA test was non-negative in 36/45 cases (80%) and 15/51 controls (29.4%) [OR = 9.60 (95%CI: 3.41 - 27.93)]. After adjustment for known confounding factors in a logistic regression model, the non-negative result continued to be associated with malignant ventricular arrhythmias [OR = 5.17 (95%CI: 1.05 - 25.51)]. Conclusion: Patients with CCC and history of malignant ventricular arrhythmias more often have a non-negative MTWA test as compared to patients with no history of arrhythmia.

Resumo Fundamento: A morte súbita cardíaca é o mecanismo de morte mais comum na doença de Chagas, responsável pelo óbito de 55% a 65% dos pacientes com cardiomiopatia chagásica crônica (CCC). Os mecanismos mais frequentemente envolvidos são as taquiarritmias ventriculares. O cardioversor-desfibrilador implantável (CDI) apresenta impacto na redução da mortalidade por arritmias ventriculares e faz-se necessária a correta identificação de pacientes sob risco. A associação de microalternância de onda T (MTWA) com o aparecimento de arritmias ventriculares foi avaliada em diferentes cardiopatias através de um teste. O papel da MTWA na identificação de pacientes sob risco na CCC permanece incerto. Objetivo: Avaliar a associação entre MTWA e a ocorrência de arritmias ventriculares malignas na CCC. Método: Trata-se de um estudo caso-controle, que incluiu pacientes com CCC em uso de CDI, com história prévia de arritmias ventriculares malignas (casos) ou sem história prévia (controles). Os resultados do teste foram classificados em negativo e não negativo (positivo e indeterminado). O nível de significância foi a = 0,05. Resultado: Foram recrutados 96 pacientes, 45 no grupo caso (46,8%) e 51 no grupo controle (53,1%). O teste de MTWA apresentou resultado não negativo em 36/45 pacientes no grupo caso (80%) e 15/51 no grupo controle (29,4%), OR = 9,60 (IC95%: 3,41 - 27,93). Após ajuste para fatores de confusão num modelo de regressão logística, o resultado não negativo continuou associado à presença de arritmias ventriculares malignas, com OR = 5,17 (IC95%: 1,05 - 25,51). Conclusão: Na CCC, pacientes com história de arritmia ventricular maligna apresentam maior frequência de teste de MTWA não negativo quando comparados a pacientes sem ocorrência prévia de arritmias.

Impacto da hormonioterapia associada ao escore de predição de Wells no diagnóstico de trombose venosa profunda em mulheres submetidas a ecografia vascular / Impact of hormone therapy linked to wells prediction score in the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis in women submitted to vascular ultrasound

Introdução: A trombose venosa profunda (TVP) apresenta elevada morbimortalidade. O escore de Wells foi elaborado para melhorar a capacidade diagnóstica pré-teste para TVP. O objetivo deste estudo foi ajustar o escore de Wells para pacientes brasileiras e incluir a variável hormonioterapia (HT), comparando acurácia e poder de reclassificação do novo escore com o original de Wells. Método: Estudo observacional transversal em que foi realizada regressão logística para incluir a variável hormonioterapia (HT) ao Escore de Wells, criando um novo escore (escore HT), que foi calibrado e ajustado para a população estudada. A qualidade dos dados foi avaliada pela estatística Kappa. Resultados: Foram estudadas 461 pacientes com idade de 56,1 ± 20,8, das quais 103 tiveram diagnóstico ecográfico de TVP. O escore HT incluiu sete variáveis, pacientes que obtiveram pontuação de -4 a 0 foram consideradas de baixo risco; de 1 a 3, moderado risco; e de 4 a 11, alto risco para TVP, com calibração adequada (valor p = 0,59). A área sob a curva ROC para o escore HT foi 0,92 (IC 95% 0,90 - 0,95) e para o escore de Wells foi de 0,87 (IC 95% 0,84 – 0,91), mostrando diferença estatisticamente significativa (p < 0,05).Conclusão: A inclusão da hormonioterapia a um modelo de predição clínica demonstrou maior acurácia comparativamente ao modelo de Wells.

Introduction: Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) presents high morbidity and mortality. The Wells score is designed to improve the pretest diagnosing capacity for DVT. The purpose of this study was to adjust the Wells score for Brazilian patients and include the variable hormone therapy (HT), comparing accuracy and power of reclassification of the new score with Wells’ original score.Methods: Cross-sectional observational study in which logistic regression was performed to include the variable hormone therapy (HT) to the Wells score, creating a new score (HT score), which has been calibrated and adjusted for the population studied. Data quality was evaluated by the Kappa statistics.Results: We studied 461 patients aged 56.1 ± 20.8, of which 103 had sonographic diagnosis of DVT. The HT score included seven variables: patients who achieved a score of -4 to 0 are considered low risk; 1 to 3, moderate risk; and 4 to 11, high risk for DVT, withproper calibration (p = 0.59). The area under the ROC curve for the HT score was 0.92 (95% CI 0.90 — 0.95) and for the Wells score it was 0.87 (95% CI 0.84 — 0.91), showing a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05).Conclusion: The inclusion of hormone therapy into a clinical prediction model showed higher accuracy compared to the model of Wells.