Analysis of the burden of chagas disease in Brazil: mortality, DALYs, and incidence from 1990 to 2021

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70630/rspms.v8.2025.321

Keywords:

Chagas disease, Trypanosomiasis, Regional Health Strategies, Public Health, DALYs

Abstract

Introduction: Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is a significant public health issue in Latin America, affecting millions of people, especially in Brazil. This study aims to evaluate the metrics of mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and incidence of the disease between 1990 and 2021 in Brazil, using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD). Objective: To analyze the evolution of mortality rates, DALYs, and incidence of Chagas disease across the five major regions of Brazil: North, Northeast, Central-West, Southeast, and South. Materials and Methods: Data on mortality, DALYs, and incidence of Chagas disease from 1990 to 2021 were analyzed. The analysis included descriptive statistics and graphs to identify temporal trends and regional disparities. Results: Mortality and DALY rates showed an overall reduction, but with significant variations across regions. The Central-West maintained the highest mortality and DALY rates, while the Southeast showed the greatest reduction. Incidence also decreased, but the Central-West remained with high rates, reflecting challenges in vector control and diagnosis. Discussion: The persistence of disease burden in the North and Central-West regions indicates the need for continuous regional interventions. Socioeconomic and ecological factors, such as insecticide resistance and internal migration, complicate control efforts. Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of region-specific public policies and sustained efforts for the control and eradication of Chagas disease in Brazil.

References

ALMEIDA, C. E. et al. From molecules to ecosystems: insights into a network of interactions for a Chagas disease outbreak using Triatoma brasiliensis as natural samplers. Acta Tropica, Amsterdam, v. 251, art. 107107, mar. 2024. Art. 107107. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.107107. Acesso em: 12 jul. 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.107107

ALONSO-PADILLA, J. et al. Molecular diagnostics for Chagas disease: up to date and novel methodologies. Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics, [s. l.], v. 17, n. 7, p. 699–710, 1 jul. 2017. Disponíve em: https://www.tandfon-line.com/doi/full/10.1080/14737159.2017.1338566. Acesso em: 12 jul. 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14737159.2017.1338566

ALONSO-PADILLA, J. et al. Strategies to enhance access to diagnosis and treatment for Chagas disease patients in Latin America. Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy, [s. l.], v. 17, n. 3, p. 145–157, 13 fev. 2019. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1080/14787210.2019.1577731. Acesso em: 12 jul. 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14787210.2019.1577731

BALOUZ, V.; AGÜERO, F.; BUSCAGLIA, C. A. Chagas Disease Diagnostic Applications: Present Knowledge and Future Steps. Advances in Parasitology, London, GB, v. 97, p. 1–45, 2017. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.apar.2016.10.001. Acesso em: 12 jul. 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.apar.2016.10.001

COURA, J. R.; DIAS, J. C. P. Epidemiology, control and surveillance of Chagas disease - 100 years after its discovery. Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, v. 104, p. 31-40, 2009. Supl. 1. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1590/s0074-02762009000900006. Acesso em: 12 jul. 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0074-02762009000900006

DAFLON-TEIXEIRA, N. F. et al. Multiple Approaches to Address Potential Risk Factors of Chagas Disease Transmission in Northeastern Brazil. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Mclean, Va, v. 100, n. 2, p. 296–302, 6 fev. 2019. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.18-0480. Acesso em: 12 jul. 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.18-0480

DIAS, C. P. J. et al. II Consenso Brasileiro em Doença de Chagas, 2015. Epidemiologia e Serviços de Saúde, Brasília, DF, v. 25, n. 21, p. 1–10, jun. 2016. Disponível em: https://www.gov.br/saude/pt-br/centrais-de-conteudo/publicacoes/svsa/doenca-de-chagas/ii-con¬senso-brasileiro-em-doenca-de-chagas-2015.pdf/view. Acesso em: 12 jul. 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5123/S1679-49742016002100001

FOLAHAN, F. F. Neglected tropical diseases: progress and expectations. The Lancet Microbe, [s. l.], v. 4, n. 3, p. e137–e138, 1 mar. 2023. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1016/s2666-5247(23)00029-0. Acesso em: 12 jul. 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2666-5247(23)00029-0

INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH METRICS AND EVALUATION. GBD Compare. Seattle: IHME, University of Washington, 16 maio 2024. Disponível em: https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-compare/. Acesso em: 12 jul. 2025.

LIMA-NEIVA, V. et al. The connection between Trypanosoma cruzi transmission cycles by Triatoma brasiliensis brasiliensis: A threat to human health in an area susceptible to desertification in the Seridó, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, [s. l.], v. 15, n. 11, p. e0009919, nov. 2021. Disponível em: https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0009919. Acesso em: 12 jul. 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0009919

LIN, L. et al. Artificial Intelligence algorithm for real-time detection and counting of Trypanosoma cruzi parasites using smartphone microscopy. medRxiv, [s. l.], 4 mar. 2025. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.03.03.25323227. Acesso em: 12 jul. 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.03.03.25323227

MALTA, D. C. et al. Fatores de risco relacionados à carga global de doença do Brasil e Unidades Federadas, 2015. Revista Brasileira de Epidemiologia, São Paulo, v. 20, n. suplemento 1, p. 217–232, maio 2017. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-5497201700050018. Acesso em: 12 jul. 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-5497201700050018

MARTINS-MELO, F. R. et al. The burden of Neglected Tropical Diseases in Brazil, 1990-2016: A subnational analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, [s. l.], v. 12, n. 6, p. e0006559, 2018. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0006559. Acesso em: 12 jul. 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0006559

NUNES, M. C. P. et al. Chagas Disease: An Overview of Clinical and Epidemiological Aspects. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, New York, US, v. 62, n. 9, p. 767-776, 2013. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2013.05.046. Acesso em: 12 jul. 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2013.05.046

PAN AMERICAN HEALTH ORGANIZATION. Chagas Disease in the Americas: An Analysis of the Current Situation and Strategic Review of the Regional Agenda. Final Report, 14–16 March 2023, Medellín, (Colombia). Washington, D.C.: PAHO, 2023. Disponível em: https://iris.paho.org/handle/10665.2/58664. Acesso em: 12 jul. 2025.

SALES JÚNIOR, P. A. et al. Experimental and Clinical Treatment of Chagas Disease: A Review. The American Journal of Tropical Medi¬cine and Hygiene, Mclean, Va., v. 97, n. 5, p. 1289–1303, 8 nov. 2017. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.16-0761. Acesso em: 12 jul. 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.16-0761

SANTOS, L. B. et al. Drastic reduction in the notification of acute cases of Chagas disease in the Northeast region of Brazil. Epidemio¬logical evaluation in the period 2001–2021. Acta Tropica, Basel, Suíça, v. 256, ago. 2024. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ac¬tatropica.2024.107267. Acesso em: 12 jul. 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107267

VIANNA, E. N. et al. Chagas disease ecoepidemiology and environmental changes in northern Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, v. 112, n. 11, p. 760–768, 1 nov. 2017. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1590/0074-02760170061. Acesso em: 12 jul. 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/0074-02760170061

VINHAES, M. C.; DIAS, J. C. P. Doença de Chagas no Brasil. Cadernos de Saúde Pública, Rio de Janeiro, v. 16, suplemento 2, p. 7-12, 2000. Supl. 2. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2000000800002. Acesso em: 12 jul. 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2000000800002

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION. Chagas disease (also known as American trypanosomiasis). Geneva: WHO, 2025. Disponível em: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chagas-disease-(american-trypanosomiasis). Acesso em: 12 jul. 2025.

Published

2025-09-05

Issue

Section

Artigos Originais

How to Cite

Analysis of the burden of chagas disease in Brazil: mortality, DALYs, and incidence from 1990 to 2021. Public Health Journal of Mato Grosso do Sul, v. 8, p. e025002, 5 Sep.2025.

Similar Articles

1-10 of 50

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.