Dados do Trabalho

Título

QUALITY OF LIFE ASSESSMENT OF PATIENTS WITH AND WITHOUT CHAGAS DISEASE

Introdução

Chagas disease (ChD) is a neglected tropical disease caused by the protozoan parasite T. Cruzi. This disease can negatively impact the quality of life (QoL).

Objetivo (s)

This study aims to assess and compare the quality of life (QoL) between individuals living with ChD and those without the disease.

Material e Métodos

Cross-sectional study developed within a cohort study (REDS). Participants are from two blood donation centers, one located in São Paulo, state capital, and the other in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais. Participants with CD were identified in blood donation by serological diagnosis from 2008 to 2010, and those without the disease were donors with negative serology. QoL was evaluated using the WHOQOL-bref instrument, where a higher score indicates better QoL. This instrument assesses four different domains: Physical, Psychological, Social Relationships, and Environment. Mean, standard deviation, and beta regression were used to compare QoL.

Resultados e Conclusão

A total of 611 participants were included, comprising 283 without the disease and 328 with the disease. The results for QoL in individuals with and without CD were: physical domain 68.86 versus 72.66; psychological domain 71.57 versus 74.25; social relationships domain 72.51 versus 74.55, and environment domain 64.52 versus 66.8. In multivariate models, after multiple imputation, a statistically significant difference was observed in the Physical (p=0.018) and Psychological (p=0.007) domains. In all domains, QoL of individuals with CD was lower when compared to those without CD. These results provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of CD on the QoL of individuals, as well as highlight potential opportunities to improve healthcare for these individuals with CD.

Palavras-chave

Chagas Disease; Quality of life; Neglected Diseases.

Agradecimentos

National Institutes of Health-NIH