Objective The aim of this study was to assess the impact of socioeconomic factors in increased prevalence of rheumatic heart disease and its clinical spectrum in Assam, North-East India. Method A case-control questionnaire-based study of 100 echocardiography confirmed rheumatic heart disease cases with age- and sex-matched healthy controls from Assam medical college and hospital in Dibrugarh, Assam was conducted. Results There was a trend toward increased risk of rheumatic heart disease and its clinical spectrum with respect to low socioeconomic status. Three parameters were found to be statistically significant in posing increased risk towards rheumatic heart disease: rural dwelling location ( p < 0.0001, odds ratio (OR) 4.1, 95% confidence interval (CI = 2.29-7.45), low monthly income ( p < 0.001, OR=9.5, 95% CI = 4.99-18.1) and education status ( p < 0.05, OR=9.5, 95% CI = 1.866). Out of the severe cases of mitral stenosis, mitral regurgitation and aortic regurgitation, 69.6%, 58.3% and 34% patients were of low socioeconomic status. Conclusion Socioeconomic factors can be of significant importance in increased prevalence of rheumatic heart disease and might also influence the clinical spectrum of the disease. Increased awareness and up-gradation of socioeconomic status might ameliorate the prevalence of rheumatic heart disease.

BACKGROUNDVentricular Septal Defect (VSD) is the most common congenital heart disease in children. Our study was done with the aim to analyse the clinical profile and size and type of VSD in Paediatric patients admitted in a tertiary care hospital in Assam.

BACKGROUNDThe north eastern region of India is an endemic area for viral encephalitis that clinically presents as acute encephalitis syndrome (AES). The Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is the most important causative agent of AES in this region, resulting in considerable morbidity and mortality every year.

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Background Rheumatic heart disease is a major global health concern, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The pathogenesis is attributable to an aberrant immune response, host genetic factors, and socioeconomic status. The objective of this study was to screen HLA-DQB1 alleles as genetic susceptibility markers in rheumatic heart disease patients in Assam, North East India, and to correlate the predominant allele with socioeconomic status and clinical profile. Methods A case-control study of 100 echocardiography-confirmed rheumatic heart disease patients and age- and sex-matched healthy controls from Assam Medical College and Hospital was conducted. Human leukocyte antigen typing was performed using HLA-DQ typing kit. A questionnaire was designed to study the socioeconomic status and clinical profile of rheumatic heart disease patients. Results Among the 9 alleles studied, HLA-DRBQ1*03:01 was found to be the statistically significant predominant allele in this population, especially in the Ahom ethnic group. In the HLA-DRBQ1*03:01-positive population, rural dwelling was found to be a significantly increased risk factor for rheumatic heart disease. Among severe cases, 90% of mitral stenosis, 40% of mitral regurgitation, and 33.3% of aortic regurgitation cases were HLA-DRBQ1*03:01-positive. Also, 50% of aortic valve thickening and 36.8% of mitral valve thickening cases were found in this population. Conclusion Our data suggest that HLA-DRBQ1*03:01 is a significant susceptibility marker in this population, and predominant in the rural population. Furthermore, it may play an important role in determining the pattern of valve damage in rheumatic heart disease patients.