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Periwal KL, Gupta BK, Panwar RB et al. Prevalence of rheumatic heart disease in school children in Bikaner: an echocardiographic study. J Assoc Physicians India 2006 Apr; 54: 279-82.

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Article

The Descriptive Epidemiology of Acute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease in Low and Middle-Income Countries

1Institute of Public Health, University of Cambridge, UK

2Department of Elderly Medicine, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, UK


American Journal of Epidemiology and Infectious Disease. 2013, Vol. 1 No. 4, 34-40
DOI: 10.12691/ajeid-1-4-2
Copyright © 2013 Science and Education Publishing

Cite this paper:
Das De Sudeep, Krishna Sredhar. The Descriptive Epidemiology of Acute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease in Low and Middle-Income Countries. American Journal of Epidemiology and Infectious Disease. 2013; 1(4):34-40. doi: 10.12691/ajeid-1-4-2.

Correspondence to: Das De Sudeep, Institute of Public Health, University of Cambridge, UK. Email: sdasde@gmail.com

Abstract

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) have been declining in developed nations. In low and middle-income countries, however, they continue to be a major cause of mortality and morbidity. It is estimated that RHD causes 200000-250000 premature deaths every year and is the leading cause of cardiovascular death in developing nations. This review aims to describe the background, pathogenesis and epidemiology of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in developing nations. The paper also highlights some of the public health measures, which can be undertaken to reduce the heavy disease burden of ARF and RHD in theses countries.

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