ArticlePLoS neglected tropical diseases2025
Disability and quality of life assessment using WHODAS-12 items 2.0 and EQ-5D-5L in a rural area endemic for loiasis in the Republic of Congo: A population-based cross-sectional study (the MorLo project).
Article in PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Multidimensional Assessment of Health-Related Quality of Life in Ethiopian Children with Scoliosis: Evidence from WHODAS 2.0 and EQ-5D-Y.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Article
- Understanding Calabar swellings: Assessing subcutaneous loiasis using ultrasound.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
13 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundLoa loa filariasis, a parasitic infection endemic to Central Africa, is a common cause of medical consultation in this region.
methodsTo evaluate the quality of life (QoL) of individuals living in loiasis-endemic areas, we enrolled 991 subjects (one-third being microfilaremic) from the general population of a rural area in the Republic of Congo. QoL and disability were assessed using WHODAS 2.0 12-items and EQ-5D-5L questionnaires. We collected data on the number of eye worm (Ew) and Calabar swelling episodes experienced throughout their lives, as well as individual L. loa microfilarial densities and information on infections with soil-transmitted helminthiasis. PRINCIPAL
findingsIndividuals with a history of Ew had a nearly doubled risk of experiencing at least moderate disability (score >25/100) (adjusted Odds-Ratio = 1.77 (95%CI [1.05-2.99], p = 0.033), compared to those without such a history. Those with more than 10 episodes of Ew during their lifetime had a 28% increase in overall disability as measured by WHODAS. No other variable related to loiasis (Calabar swelling frequency, L. loa microfilarial density and positivity to L. loa antibody rapid test) was associated with the various scores. Additionally, infection with Trichuris trichiura was associated with worse anxiety score (adjusted incidence risk ratio = 1.22 (95% CI [1.06-1.39], p = 0.004)).
conclusionsThe impact of loiasis on daily QoL appears to be primarily due to adult worms rather than microfilarial density. Indeed, our findings strongly suggest that the number of Ew episodes, likely reflecting the cumulative burden of adult worms, is the main correlate of worse QoL scores. These episodes seem to affect multiple dimensions of functioning, with notable impact on mobility, pain, anxiety, and daily activities. In contrast, microfilariae would primarily induce organ dysfunction. Further studies are needed to better understand the respective clinical impacts of adult worms and L. loa microfilariae.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.