Prevalence of Rheumatic Heart Disease in North Madagascar: An echocardiographic screening in young and adult populations
Cosimo Marco Campanale, Giuseppe Di Gioia, Serena Di Maria, Flavio Marullo, Mario Fittipaldi, Antonio Creta, Simona Mega, Eleonora Cella, Francesca Farchi, Silvia Angeletti, Annunziata Nusca, Massimo Ciccozzi, Germano Di Sciascio, Giovanni Mottini
Abstract
Background
Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) prevalence in Madagascar is poorly known. Echocardiographic screening detects a higher prevalence of RHD than clinical examination.
Aims
We aimed to describe RHD prevalence in children and adults in North Madagascar using the most updated World Heart Federation (WHF) criteria for RHD echocardiographic diagnosis.
Methods
Children aged 5–19 years (Group One) and adults aged more than 20 years (Group Two) underwent a four-steps visit: clinical questionnaire, physical examination, laboratory test - oropharyngeal swab for Group One and Anti-streptolysin O (ASO) titre for Group Two - and echocardiogram using a portable machine..
Results
Among 859 people (522 in Group One, 337 in Group Two) RHD prevalence was 2.1 per cent. Group Two had a higher risk of having RHD than Group One (OR 4.39, CI 1.39–13.9, p=0.004), while clinical findings were more frequent in Group One (children had a higher risk of heart murmur (O.R. 3.85 C.I. 1.08–13.72; p=0.029)). RHD prevalence was 1.34 per cent in children. Those positive to oropharyngeal swab had a higher risk of RHD (OR 14.5, CI 3.04–69.44, p=0.0024); children with history of fever and sore-throat had a higher risk of positive oropharyngeal swab (OR 15.97, CI 3.14–81.19, p=0.002). RHD prevalence was 3.3 per cent in adults. None of those had history of fever and throat-pain, positive ASO titre and cardiac murmur simultaneously.
Conclusion
This is the first study describing prevalence of RHD in Madagascar. Our results, although preliminary, are important to enhance prevention programs in this country.
Full Text:
Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) prevalence in Madagascar is poorly known. Echocardiographic screening detects a higher prevalence of RHD than clinical examination.
Aims
We aimed to describe RHD prevalence in children and adults in North Madagascar using the most updated World Heart Federation (WHF) criteria for RHD echocardiographic diagnosis.
Methods
Children aged 5–19 years (Group One) and adults aged more than 20 years (Group Two) underwent a four-steps visit: clinical questionnaire, physical examination, laboratory test - oropharyngeal swab for Group One and Anti-streptolysin O (ASO) titre for Group Two - and echocardiogram using a portable machine..
Results
Among 859 people (522 in Group One, 337 in Group Two) RHD prevalence was 2.1 per cent. Group Two had a higher risk of having RHD than Group One (OR 4.39, CI 1.39–13.9, p=0.004), while clinical findings were more frequent in Group One (children had a higher risk of heart murmur (O.R. 3.85 C.I. 1.08–13.72; p=0.029)). RHD prevalence was 1.34 per cent in children. Those positive to oropharyngeal swab had a higher risk of RHD (OR 14.5, CI 3.04–69.44, p=0.0024); children with history of fever and sore-throat had a higher risk of positive oropharyngeal swab (OR 15.97, CI 3.14–81.19, p=0.002). RHD prevalence was 3.3 per cent in adults. None of those had history of fever and throat-pain, positive ASO titre and cardiac murmur simultaneously.
Conclusion
This is the first study describing prevalence of RHD in Madagascar. Our results, although preliminary, are important to enhance prevention programs in this country.
PDF