Intestinal parasitosis caused by protozoa in patients with diabetes mellitus treated at the Ecuadorian Social Security Institute Jipijapa

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease associated with various infectious processes caused by different types of pathogens. The objective of this study was to describe intestinal protozoal parasitosis in patients with diabetes mellitus treated at the Ecuadorian Social Security Institute in Jipijapa. A quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive, observational, and retrospective study was conducted, based on the analysis of clinical records and results of coproparasitological examinations from 2024. The population consisted of patients with diabetes mellitus treated at this institution, from which a sample of 205 patients was selected. The results showed that the 65-69 age group (22.9%) and females (53.7%) had the highest percentages. The prevalence was high (85.40%), with Entamoeba histolytica being the most frequently identified protozoan. No statistically significant association was found between the presence of intestinal parasitosis, the type of protozoan identified, and the patients' gender, according to the chi-square test (p <0.05). However, descriptive and statistically significant percentage values were found. In conclusion, a high prevalence of intestinal protozoan parasitosis was determined in patients with diabetes mellitus, suggesting that this population may be more susceptible to this type of infection. The findings highlight the importance of strengthening epidemiological controls and promoting future studies to identify associated risk factors, especially in elderly diabetic patients.