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Cognitive impairment in Chagas disease patients in Brazil, 2007-2021: A cross-sectional study

Carla J Serrano1,2, Maria E Lisbôa-Marques1, Thiago Cerqueira-Silva1,3

  • 1Stroke and Cardiomyopathy Clinics, Hospital Universitário Professor Edgard Santos, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil.

Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases
|May 29, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Chagas disease (CD) is linked to cognitive impairment in heart failure (HF) patients. This study found CD independently associated with cognitive decline, suggesting mechanisms beyond HF severity.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Chagas disease (CD) is a significant cause of heart failure (HF).
  • Cognitive impairment is observed in HF patients, but its association with CD is unclear.
  • The study aimed to differentiate cognitive function in HF patients with and without CD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare cognitive function in heart failure patients with and without Chagas disease.
  • To determine if Chagas disease is an independent risk factor for cognitive impairment in HF patients.

Main Methods:

  • A multicenter, cross-sectional study involving 518 heart failure patients.
  • Blinded evaluation of global cognition and specific domains (memory, executive, visuospatial function).
  • Logistic regression analysis adjusted for demographic and clinical factors.

Main Results:

  • Cognitive impairment was significantly more prevalent in Chagas disease patients (27.1%) compared to non-CD patients (13.1%).
  • Memory and visuospatial function were most affected in CD patients.
  • Chagas disease remained independently associated with global cognitive impairment (OR 1.90) and visuospatial impairment (OR 1.56).

Conclusions:

  • Chagas disease is independently associated with cognitive impairment in heart failure patients.
  • These findings suggest that mechanisms beyond heart failure severity contribute to cognitive decline in CD.
  • Further research into these specific mechanisms is warranted.
Abstract

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