A Review of Acute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease Research in Malaysia
- Author:
Hung Liang-choo
;
Nadia Rajaram
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Acute rheumatic fever;
rheumatic heart disease;
prevention;
penicillin prophylaxis;
Malaysia
- MeSH:
Rheumatic Fever;
Rheumatic Heart Disease
- From:
The Medical Journal of Malaysia
2016;71(3 Suppl.):79-86
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
A total of 39 titles related to rheumatic fever or rheumatic
heart disease in Malaysia were found with online literature
search dating back to their inceptions and through 2014.
Additional publications from conference journals were
included. Nine papers were selected based on clinical
relevance and future research implications.
There were no population-based studies on the incidence or
prevalence of ARF or RHD. In the 1980s, the incidence of
admission due to ARF ranged from 2 to 21.1 per 100 000
paediatric admission per year. The burden of disease was
significant in the adult population; 74.5% of patients with
RHD were female, of which 77.1% were in the reproductive
age group of 15-45 years old. Rheumatic mitral valve disease
constituted almost half (46.7%) of all mitral valve repairs,
ranging from 44.8 – 55.8 patients per year from 1997 – 2003.
From 2010-2012, mitral valve interventions increased to 184
per year, of which 85.7% were mitral valve repair.
In children with ARF, 25.4% - 41.7% had past history of
rheumatic fever or RHD. In patients with rheumatic mitral
valve disease undergoing surgical or medical interventions,
only 6% reported history of ARF, none had history of GABHS
pharyngitis or antibiotic prophylaxis. Only 44.7% of patients
with RHD on follow-up were on intramuscular benzathine
penicillin prophylaxis.
Overall, there is scarcity of publications on ARF and RHD in
Malaysia. Priority areas for research include determination
of the incidence and prevalence of ARF and RHD,
identification of high-risk populations, evaluation on the
implementation and adherence of secondary preventive
measures, identification of subclinical RHD especially
amongst the high-risk population, and a surveillance system
to monitor and evaluate preventive measures, disease
progression and outcomes.
- Full text:P020170214507274448352.pdf
