Heart Changes in Sleeping Sickness
Author Information
Author(s): Blum Johannes A., Schmid Caecilia, Burri Christian, Hatz Christoph, Olson Carol, Fungula Blaise, Kazumba Leon, Mangoni Patrick, Mbo Florent, Deo Kambau, Mpanya Alain, Dala Amadeo, Franco Jose R., Pohlig Gabriele, Zellweger Michael J.
Primary Institution: Swiss Tropical Institute, Basel, Switzerland
Hypothesis
What are the electrocardiographic findings in patients with Human African Trypanosomiasis and how do they compare across disease stages and treatments?
Conclusion
Cardiac involvement in Human African Trypanosomiasis appears early and is associated with ECG alterations, but treatment does not significantly prolong the QTc interval.
Supporting Evidence
- In first and second stage HAT, prolonged QTc intervals and repolarization changes were more frequent than in healthy controls.
- Treatment did not change the QTc interval during the study.
- ECG abnormalities were associated with disease stage but not with a specific drug.
Takeaway
People with sleeping sickness can have heart problems that show up on heart tests, and these problems can happen early in the disease.
Methodology
The study analyzed ECGs of 406 first stage HAT patients, 56 second stage patients, and 61 healthy controls, comparing findings across groups.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to different clinical trial settings for patients and controls.
Limitations
HAT patients and healthy controls were enrolled in different clinical trials, which may affect comparability.
Participant Demographics
406 first stage HAT patients, 56 second stage HAT patients, and 61 healthy controls, with similar age and gender distribution.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.0001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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