Estudo clínico durante 13 anos de 190 chagásicos crônicos de Mambaí, Goiás, Brasil

Foram estudados prospectivamente 190 chagásicos, do ponto de vista clínico, eletrocardiográfico e abreugráfico do esôfago, no período médio de 13 anos, sendo encontrados 108 (56,8%) com a forma clínica inalterada, 72 (37,9%) com doença progressiva e 10 (5,3%) nos quais houve normalização do eletrocardiograma. Nos 72, em que a doença progrediu, 39 desenvolveram cardiopatia ou agravaram a já existente, 32 evoluíram para, ou pioraram o megaesôfago prévio e, 12 evoluíram para colopatia ou agravaram a já existente. Dentre os 72, 11 tinham formas clínicas associadas. A evolução da cardiopatia foi maior no sexo masculino 29,6% (21/71) que no feminino 15,1% (18/119), p = 0,015. Houve 19 casos novos de cardiopatia e 20 agravaram a cardiopatia prévia. A incidência de megaesôfago foi 14,9% (23/154) e nove agravaram o megaesôfago já existente. A evolução da colopatia foi maior no sexo feminino 9,2% (11/119), que no masculino 1,4% (1/71), p =0,026. A prospective study was performed on the clinical, electrocardiographic (ECG) and radiologic aspects of the esophagus in 190 chagasic patients, for on average follow-up period of 13 years. We found 108 (56.8%) patients who remained in the same clinical state, 72 (37.9%) patients with progressive illness and 10 (5.3%) patients whose previous ECG abnormalities subsided. Thirty nine out of 72 patients with progressive disease developed cardiopathy or aggravation of previous illness, 32 developed into megaesophagus or an existing picture deteriorated and 12 developed or showed worsening of the colopathy. Of 72 patients, 11 presented with associated forms. The development of cardiopathy was greater in males 29.6% (21/71) than in females 15.1% (18/119), p =0.015. There were 19 new cases of cardiopathy, and 20 of aggravated previous disease. The incidence of megaesophagus was 14.9% (23/154), with nine patients whose previous disease worsened. The progression of colopathy was greater in females 9.2% (11/119) than in males 1.4% (1/71), p = 0.026.