Acute Rheumatic Fever: Where Do We Stand? An Epidemiological Study in Northern Italy

Marino, Achille; Cimaz, Rolando; Pelagatti, Matteo; Tattesi, Giulia; Biondi, Andrea; Menni, Laura; Sala, Marco; Calzi, Patrizia; Morandi, Francesco; Cortinovis, Francesca; Cogliardi, Anna; Addis, Claudia; Bellù, Roberto; Andreotti, M; Varisco, Tiziana

doi:10.3389/fmed.2021.621668

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…We identified 1479 patients with IPD (median [IQR] age at onset, 10 [8-13] years in 1354 patients; 985 of 1426 [69.1%] female and 441 of 1426 [30.9%] male) were identified from 307 articles…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Treatments and Outcomes Among Patients with Sydenham Chorea

Eyre,

Thomas,

Ferrarin

et al. 2024

JAMA Netw Open

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ImportanceSydenham chorea is the most common acquired chorea of childhood worldwide; however, treatment is limited by a lack of high-quality evidence.ObjectivesTo evaluate historical changes in the clinical characteristics of Sydenham chorea and identify clinical and treatment factors at disease onset associated with chorea duration, relapsing disease course, and functional outcome.Data SourcesThe systematic search for this meta-analysis was conducted in PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and LILACS databases and registers of clinical trials from inception to November 1, 2022 (search terms: [Sydenham OR Sydenham’s OR rheumatic OR minor] AND chorea).Study SelectionPublished articles that included patients with a final diagnosis of Sydenham chorea (in selected languages).Data Extraction and SynthesisThis study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guideline. Individual patient data on clinical characteristics, treatments, chorea duration, relapse, and final outcome were extracted. Data from patients in the modern era (1945 through 2022) were entered into multivariable models and stratified by corticosteroid duration for survival analysis of chorea duration.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe planned study outcomes were chorea duration at onset, monophasic course (absence of relapse after ≥24 months), and functional outcome (poor: modified Rankin Scale score 2-6 or persisting chorea, psychiatric, or behavioral symptoms at final follow-up after ≥6 months; good: modified Rankin Scale score 0-1 and no chorea, psychiatric, or behavioral symptoms at final follow-up).ResultsIn total, 1479 patients were included (from 307 articles), 1325 since 1945 (median [IQR] age at onset, 10 [8-13] years; 875 of 1272 female [68.8%]). Immunotherapy was associated with shorter chorea duration (hazard ratio for chorea resolution, 1.51 [95% CI, 1.05-2.19]; P = .03). The median chorea duration in patients receiving 1 or more months of corticosteroids was 1.2 months (95% CI, 1.2-2.0) vs 2.8 months (95% CI, 2.0-3.0) for patients receiving none (P = .004). Treatment factors associated with monophasic disease course were antibiotics (odds ratio [OR] for relapse, 0.28 [95% CI, 0.09-0.85]; P = .02), corticosteroids (OR, 0.32 [95% CI, 0.15-0.67]; P = .003), and sodium valproate (OR, 0.33 [95% CI, 0.15-0.71]; P = .004). Patients receiving at least 1 month of corticosteroids had significantly lower odds of relapsing course (OR, 0.10 [95% CI, 0.04-0.25]; P &lt; .001). No treatment factor was associated with good functional outcome.Conclusions and RelevanceIn this meta-analysis of treatments and outcomes in patients with Sydenham chorea, immunotherapy, in particular corticosteroid treatment, was associated with faster resolution of chorea. Antibiotics, corticosteroids and sodium valproate were associated with a monophasic disease course. This synthesis of retrospective data should support the development of evidence-based treatment guidelines for patients with Sydenham chorea.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Treatments and Outcomes Among Patients with Sydenham Chorea

Eyre,

Thomas,

Ferrarin

et al. 2024

JAMA Netw Open

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“…Except carditis, other manifestations will resolve without leaving any permanent consequences. 22,23 1 st degree atrio ventricular block i.e., prolonged PR interval is the important finding in ECG incase of carditis and echocardiography has become an important tool after the inclusion of subclinical carditis as a major criteria. Echocardiography is not only useful in differentiating pathologic and physiologic regurgitation but also assessing the severity of the lesions.…”

Section: Jones Criteriamentioning

confidence: 99%

Streptococcal Pharyngitis and Rheumatic Fever

Sujhithra¹,

Jayanthi²,

Chokkalingam³

et al. 2022

J. Pure Appl. Microbiol.

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Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus) causes a variety of diseases, from benign self-limiting infections of the skin or throat to lethal infections of soft tissue accompanied by multi-organ failure. GAS is one of significant species among Gram-positive pathogens which is responsible for several suppurative infections and non-suppurative sequelae. They also cause pharyngitis, streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), necrotizing fasciitis and other diseases. Currently, global burden of RF / RHD is undervalued. In 2010, RF and RHD were estimated as 15.6 million cases and deaths around 200,000 annually. Laboratory diagnosis includes cultural techniques, serology, PYR test, Bacitracin susceptibility test and antibiotic resistance testing helps in differentiating the Streptococcus pyogenes from other groups of Streptococci. Most of the Acute Rheumatic Fever cases gets missed or does not present in the initial stage rather it has been developed into advanced Rheumatic Heart Disease condition. Modified Jones criteria in 2015 will be helpful especially to the low risk population as it is challenging because of limited access to primary health care, diagnosis of streptococcal disease. In addition to this revised criteria, diagnosis still relies on clinical diagnostic algorithm. Vaccines based on M protein and T antigens are continuing to evolve with different results. Ongoing vaccine development is still challenging for the GAS research community, it will make a positive and lasting impact on the peoples globally.

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“…RHD is a common problem in developing countries, including Nepal, with prevalence reported to be 0.9–1.35 per 1000 school-going children 3. However, globalisation and migratory flows have contributed to the resurgence of RF worldwide 4 5. In the Nepalese population of 27 million, the incidence of RF is estimated to be 15 000 per year and the incidence of RHD is 7500 per year 6.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of an educational intervention in improving healthcare workers’ knowledge of early recognition, diagnosis and management of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in rural far-western Nepal: a pre/post-intervention study

Bhatt

Karki

Shrestha³

et al. 2022

BMJ Open

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ObjectivesRheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remain among the major heart problems among children in Nepal. Although these conditions are preventable and treatable, the lack of proper knowledge and resources to diagnose and manage these conditions in rural health centres is a key concern. This study assessed the impact of educational sessions to improve the knowledge of healthcare workers in the early recognition, diagnosis, and management of RF and RHD in rural far-western Nepal.Design, setting and participantsThis study used a pretest and post-test interventional design and was conducted among 64 healthcare workers in two primary healthcare centres and a peripheral district-level hospital in Achham district in the far-western region of Nepal. A self-administered questionnaire was used before and after the educational sessions. Data were analysed using SPSS V.21.ResultsThe overall test scores increased from 10 (SD=2.4) pre-intervention to 13.8 (SD=1.9) post-intervention (p<0.001). Similarly, participant confidence (graded 1–5) in differentiating bacterial from viral sore throat rose from 3.6 (SD=1.08) pre-intervention to 3.98 (SD=1.09) post-intervention (p<0.05). Confidence in managing RF increased from 3.9 (SD=0.88) pre-intervention to 4.30 (SD=0.8) post-intervention (p<0.001).ConclusionThe findings suggest that the investigated educational sessions are promising with respect to improving the knowledge and confidence of healthcare workers in the early recognition, diagnosis, and management of RF and RHD at the primary healthcare level. Further studies with a larger sample size and conducted in different parts of the country are warranted to assess the effectiveness and impact of scaling up such educational interventions in Nepal.

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Acute Rheumatic Fever: Where Do We Stand? An Epidemiological Study in Northern Italy

Cited by 6 publications

References 21 publications

Treatments and Outcomes Among Patients with Sydenham Chorea

Treatments and Outcomes Among Patients with Sydenham Chorea

Streptococcal Pharyngitis and Rheumatic Fever

Effectiveness of an educational intervention in improving healthcare workers’ knowledge of early recognition, diagnosis and management of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in rural far-western Nepal: a pre/post-intervention study

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