Tolerance and Adherence of Patients with Chronic Chagas Disease Treated with Benznidazole

ABSTRACT Background: Chagas disease (CD) treatment is commonly associated with a high incidence of adverse effects. It is crucial to study and update these adverse effects to improve the existing knowledge of which drugs to use and to clarify the information presented to patients. Methods: We analyzed the adverse effects of benznidazole in two cohorts of patients: a large retrospective study and a small prospective study. Results: This large retrospective study described the most and least common adverse effects in our area and characterized our Chagas disease population. This prospective study, along with a close follow-up of the treatment, detected more adverse effects and enhanced the patients’ perception of the disease and treatment. Conclusions: This information is important for preventing non-medical-related withdrawals and for removing baseless fears. Better knowledge of patients could help us provide better care.

摘要
背景：恰加斯病（Chagas disease）的药物治疗通常伴随较高的不良反应发生率。针对此类不良反应开展研究并更新相关认知，对于优化现有临床用药方案、厘清向患者传递的诊疗信息具有重要意义。
方法：本研究针对两队列患者分析苄硝唑（benznidazole）的不良反应，分别为一项大规模回顾性研究与一项小型前瞻性研究。
结果：本次大规模回顾性研究明确了本地区恰加斯病患者中最常见与最罕见的不良反应类型，并刻画了本地区恰加斯病患者的人群特征。而该项前瞻性研究结合治疗期间的密切随访，不仅检出了更多不良反应，还提升了患者对疾病与治疗的认知水平。
结论：本研究结果有助于避免患者因非医疗相关原因中断治疗，同时可消除患者无依据的恐惧情绪。对患者情况的充分认知亦能帮助我们为患者提供更优质的诊疗服务。