Megaesophagus and Seroreactivity to Trypanosoma Cruzi in a Rural Community in Northeast Brazil *

Abstract

The relationship of symptoms and radiographic abnormalities suggestive of esophageal motility disorders with electrocardiographic (ECG) alterations and seroreactivity to Trypanosoma cruzi was studied in a defined population in a rural area endemic for Chagas' disease in Bahia, Brazil. Between January and June 1981, 680 individuals 5 years of age or older were examined with serologic tests, ECGs and questionnaires for esophageal motility disorder. Of these, 39.9% were seropositive for Chagas' disease. Symptoms of dysphagia occurred 2.5 times more frequently among seropositive individuals than among seronegative individuals. Radiographic esophageal abnormalities were 3.6 times more frequent among seropositive individuals than among seronegative individuals in the symptomatic group. Symptoms and radiographic abnormalities were more common in men than in women although this was not statistically significant. Among seropositive individuals the percentage with symptoms of dysphagia increased with age, with a peak prevalence rate of 23.9% in the 45- to 64-year-old age group. Also, in the seropositive group, 41.7% with X-ray abnormalities of the esophagus and 26.3% with symptoms of dysphagia presented an abnormal ECG.