“Cardiovascular Health Investigation and Collaboration to Assess the Markers and Outcomes of Chagas disease” (CHICAMOCHA): Concept, Methods and Characteristics of a Cohort of Blood Donors in Bucaramanga, Colombia

Abstract

Introduction: Geographical and socio-demographic conditions expose Colombian population to the threat of vector-borne diseases (such as Chagas’ [CHAD]) and cardiovascular disease of atherosclerotic origin (CVD). Objective: To assemble a cohort study of young adults, to promote understanding of CHAD and CVD in Bucaramanga, Colombia. Methodology: A study of blood donors with serological screening for T.cruzi was designed. A database of consecutive donors with positive results (T[+]) was built. This group was compared with a random sample of T[-] individuals (1:4 ratio, within strata of bank and month of donation). Participants classified by serology and electrocardiography status underwent clinical interviews (additional cardiovascular tests to T[+] and a random sample to T[-] were performed. In the following years, T[+] individuals participated in randomized trials whereas those whereas those T[-] participated in repeated measurements to test CVD risk factors. Results: From 6,228 donors in the database (18 to 50 years old) registered in the database (1997-2203), 2,130 blood donors (mean age 36.4 (SD 8.4) years, 64% males, 73.4% living in low socioeconomic strata, 486 T[+]) agreed to participate. Our contact protocol, and follow-up procedure with participants allowed us to obtain repeatedly measurements of at least 80% of the participants.  Conclusions: CHICAMOCHA represents a social asset that builds local research capacity. Continued efforts are required to enhance its potential for research training, scholarly work and health care guidance. [Villar JC, Herrera VM, Cháves-Neira AM, Martínez-Contreras LX, Villar-Centeno LA, Ardila E, Marcell-Vásquez S, Vásquez SM. “Cardiovascular Health Investigation and Collaboration to Assess the Markers and Outcomes of Chagas disease” (CHICAMOCHA): Concept, methods and characteristics of a cohort of blood donors in Bucaramanga, Colombia. MedUNAB 2015; 18 (1): 14-26]