Abstract

Objectives

Chagas disease (CD) is a chronic disease to millions worldwide, and many patients develop heart disease. In addition, they are part of an aging population. These characteristics can be associated with a reduction in physical performance and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study evaluated HRQoL, and the relationship between physical performance and HRQoL in patients with chronic CD.

Methods

We used the 3-level version of EuroQol 5-dimensional questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L), with the visual analog scale (VAS). Physical performance was measured with 30-s chair-stand test (30sCST) and timed up and go test (TUGT).

Results

Sixty-three patients were evaluated. The majority were women (68.2%) aged 67.7 ± 9.7 years. Overall EQ-5D-3L utility index was 0.65 ± 0.28, and VAS score was 68.4 ± 25.1. Most patients with intermediate and high performance in 30sCST referred no problems in the domains “mobility,” “usual activities,” and “pain/feeling ill” (P .0001) and “usual activities” (P = .001). Higher performance in both tests was associated with higher overall EQ-5D-3L utility and VAS scores. HRQoL measured by EQ-5D-3L was associated with physical status in a cohort of patients with chronic CD. The results underscore the contribution of physical performance, measured by 2 inexpensive and safe physical tests, to HRQoL in these patients.

Conclusion

Strategies aiming the improvement of HRQoL in patients with CD may focus on mobility skills and force. Future studies evaluating interventions in physical performance should be a priority in these patients.