Subclinical vascular damage in Schistosoma spp. endemic regions: A community based cross-sectional study in Kome Island, Tanzania

摘要

Background: Cardiovascular abnormalities have been described in patients with schistosomiasis. Their true prevalence and clinical features in endemic settings are unknown. Patients and methods: The study aimed to assess the prevalence of subclinical cardiovascular damage in a population endemic to schistosomiasis. A cross-sectional study was conducted using colour-ultrasound assessment of abdominal and carotid arteries among adults aged >18 years living in Kome Island, Tanzania. Carotid intimal medial thickness, carotid plaque, mean abdominal aortic diameter, and presence of aneurysms were assessed. Anamnestic data on previous Schistosoma infection was collected; the actual prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium was also assessed through stool and urine investigations. Results: A total of 264 participants (166 female, 98 male) were enrolled (mean age of 50±15.5 years). The history of previous schistosomiasis was 27.3, and actual positivity for Schistosoma mansoni was 5.9. The Latero-lateral Abdominal Aortic Diameter was significantly increased among participants with a previous history of schistosomiasis (16.7±2.8 mm vs. 17.6±3 mm; p=0.02), with an aOR of 1.15 CI 1.04 1.28; p=0.007. Conclusions: The significant difference in the Latero-lateral Abdominal Aortic Diameter in participants with a previous history of schistosomiasis suggests the need for further investigations on aortic damage in endemic populations, independently from the positive laboratory investigations. ? 2023 Hogrefe Verlag GmbH Co. KG. All rights reserved.