TY - JOUR KW - Chagas disease KW - Stroke KW - Chagas Cardiomyopathy KW - Heart Failure KW - Systematic review AU - Ana Clara de Jesus Santos AU - Juciane Fagundes Durães Benitez AU - Nayara Ragi Baldoni AU - Ariela Mota Ferreira AU - Jose Luiz Padilha da Silva AU - Maria do Carmo Pereira Nunes AU - Antonio Luiz Pinho Ribeiro AU - Ester Cerdeira Sabino AU - Desirée Sant’Ana Haikal AB -

This study aimed to conduct a systematic review of the association between Chagas disease and stroke, and to estimate the magnitude of this association through meta-analyses. A systematic review was conducted following the steps recommended by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. The MEDLINE via PubMed, Virtual Health Library, Web of Science, and Embase databases were searched, and all studies on the topic were considered, with no restrictions on language or publication period. Studies lacking the groups of interest (individuals with and without Chagas disease) or stroke as an outcome were excluded. Design-specific meta-analyses were performed using a random-effects model. Of the 1,695 studies identified, 7 were included in the systematic review and 6 in the meta-analysis. Among cohort studies (n = 2), the pooled meta-analysis estimate showed an increased risk of stroke among individuals with Chagas disease (RR = 1.92; 95%CI: 1.20-3.06). Among cross-sectional studies (n = 4), the pooled estimate revealed a higher prevalence of stroke among individuals with Chagas disease (PR = 1.63; 95%CI: 1.22-2.18). The certainty of evidence was rated as very low according to the GRADE approach. The results indicated an association between Chagas disease and stroke; however, they should be interpreted with caution, considering the heterogeneity across study designs and the small number of studies. Further studies with more homogeneous designs are needed to better understand this relationship.

BT - Cadernos de Saúde Pública DA - 08/2026 LA - ENG M3 - Article N2 -

This study aimed to conduct a systematic review of the association between Chagas disease and stroke, and to estimate the magnitude of this association through meta-analyses. A systematic review was conducted following the steps recommended by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. The MEDLINE via PubMed, Virtual Health Library, Web of Science, and Embase databases were searched, and all studies on the topic were considered, with no restrictions on language or publication period. Studies lacking the groups of interest (individuals with and without Chagas disease) or stroke as an outcome were excluded. Design-specific meta-analyses were performed using a random-effects model. Of the 1,695 studies identified, 7 were included in the systematic review and 6 in the meta-analysis. Among cohort studies (n = 2), the pooled meta-analysis estimate showed an increased risk of stroke among individuals with Chagas disease (RR = 1.92; 95%CI: 1.20-3.06). Among cross-sectional studies (n = 4), the pooled estimate revealed a higher prevalence of stroke among individuals with Chagas disease (PR = 1.63; 95%CI: 1.22-2.18). The certainty of evidence was rated as very low according to the GRADE approach. The results indicated an association between Chagas disease and stroke; however, they should be interpreted with caution, considering the heterogeneity across study designs and the small number of studies. Further studies with more homogeneous designs are needed to better understand this relationship.

PY - 2026 SP - 1 EP - 18 T2 - Cadernos de Saúde Pública TI - Association between Chagas disease and the occurrence of stroke: systematic review with meta-analysis UR - https://cadernos.ensp.fiocruz.br/ojs/index.php/csp/article/download/11928/21090/121927 ER -