Prevalence of digestive disorders associated with imported Chagas disease (PADChI study): an observational study

Chagas disease (CD) is a parasitic disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, in which up to 10-20% of those affected may suffer 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.

An 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.

After 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 comorbidity of infectious diseases was 40.73% CI 95% (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 with esophagogram.

The prevalence of digestive disorders associated with CD is high, so the presence of infectious diseases (mainly parasitic and H. pylori infection) should be ruled out. It is important to exclude structural involvement in all symptomatic patients, and asymptomatic patients should also be considered and offered.