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Chagas heart disease is associated with decreased physical activity levels: A cross-sectional analysis
Leonardo Gonçalves Ribeiro1,2, Tatiana Rehder Gonçalves3, Vitor Barreto Paravidino4,5
1Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Insights
Physical activity (PA) is low in individuals with Chagas disease (CD). Chagas heart disease (ChHD), especially with heart failure, is linked to reduced PA levels and lower odds of meeting PA recommendations.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Physical activity (PA) data in Chagas disease (CD) populations is limited.
- Understanding PA levels is crucial for managing chronic conditions like CD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess PA levels in individuals diagnosed with Chagas disease.
- To investigate the association between PA and Chagas heart disease (ChHD).
Main Methods:
- International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short version used for PA assessment.
- Chagas heart disease (ChHD) diagnosis followed the Brazilian Consensus on Chagas Disease.
- Generalized linear and logistic regression models analyzed associations between PA and ChHD status.
Main Results:
- 58.1% of 361 participants met WHO PA recommendations.
- ChHD without heart failure correlated with reduced vigorous PA.
- ChHD with heart failure showed significantly lower total and moderate PA levels.
- ChHD with heart failure had lower odds of meeting PA recommendations compared to those without cardiac involvement.
Conclusions:
- Individuals with Chagas disease exhibit low physical activity levels.
- The presence of Chagas heart disease, particularly with heart failure, is associated with diminished physical activity.
Background:
Studies evaluating physical activity (PA) levels in individuals with Chagas disease (CD) are still scarce. The present study aimed to evaluate PA levels in CD individuals and examine their association with Chagas heart disease (ChHD).
Methods:
We included patients with CD regularly followed in a reference center for treatment of infectious diseases. PA levels were assessed using the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). ChHD was determined following the Brazilian Consensus on Chagas Disease. The association between ChHD and levels of PA (total, walking, moderate, and vigorous) as a continuous variable was fitted using generalized linear models. Logistic regression models were fitted to evaluate the association between ChHD and meeting WHO's PA recommendations.
Results:
Among the 361 participants included in the analysis (60.7 ± 10.7 years; 56.2 % women), 58.1 % (n = 210) complied with the WHO's PA recommendations. After adjustments for potential confounders, regression analyses revealed that ChHD without heart failure was significantly associated with reduced vigorous PA (Exp β 0.32 95 % CI 0.10 to 0.98). ChHD with heart failure had significantly lower levels of total (Exp β 0.61 95 % CI 0.44 to 0.84) and moderate (Exp β 0.59 95 % CI 0.39 to 0.89) PA. ChHD with heart failure had a lower odd of meeting the PA recommendation in comparison to those with no cardiac involvement (OR 0.48 95 % CI 0.24 to 0.97).
Conclusions:
We found low levels of PA among individuals with CD. Presence of ChHD (mainly with HF) was associated with decreased levels of PA.
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