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[Epidemiological and clinical outlook of chronic Chagas' heart disease in Mexico]

Justo Sierra-Johnson1, Amonario Olivera-Mar, Víctor M Monteón-Padilla

  • 1Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico, DF, Mexico.

Revista De Saude Publica
|October 29, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Chronic Chagas' heart disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is a significant cause of dilated cardiomyopathy. This study highlights its distinct epidemiological and clinical features compared to other cardiomyopathies.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Dilated cardiomyopathy is a significant cause of heart failure.
  • Chagas' disease, caused by *Trypanosoma cruzi*, is a leading cause of heart disease in endemic regions.
  • Understanding the specific characteristics of Chagas' heart disease is crucial for diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the epidemiological and clinical profiles of chronic Chagas' heart disease with other forms of dilated cardiomyopathy.
  • To identify distinguishing features of Chagas' heart disease.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective study of 128 patients (51 *Trypanosoma cruzi* positive) from 1993-2003.
  • Data collection included interviews for epidemiological data and health service records for clinical and serological information.
  • Statistical analysis employed Chi-square, Fischer, Mann-Whitney, Student's t-tests, and multivariate analysis.

Main Results:

  • Chagas' disease patients were older (55 vs. 42 years), more likely from rural areas (90% vs. 68%), and lived in poorer, crowded conditions.
  • ECG abnormalities (rhythm, conduction) and pacemaker use were more common in Chagas' patients (84%, 78%, 24% vs. 55%, 64%, 10%).
  • Congestive heart failure was more frequent in other cardiomyopathies (88% vs. 71%), while comorbidities were rarer in Chagas' disease.

Conclusions:

  • Chronic Chagas' disease is the predominant cause of dilated cardiomyopathy at the study hospital.
  • Given its regional prevalence in Mexico, Chagas' disease warrants targeted attention and control strategies.
  • Effective control programs, successful elsewhere, should be considered for implementation.
Abstract

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