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Rwebembera J, Ndagire E, Carvalho N, Webel AR, Sable C, Okello E, Sarnacki R, Spaziani AM, Mucunguzi A, Engelman D, Grobler A, Steer A, Beaton A. Intramuscular versus enteral penicillin prophylaxis to prevent progression of rheumatic heart disease: Study protocol for a noninferiority randomized trial (the GOALIE trial). Am Heart J 2024; 275:74-85. [PMID: 38797460 PMCID: PMC11330716 DOI: 10.1016/j.ahj.2024.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) persists as a major cardiovascular driver of mortality and morbidity among young people in low-and middle-income countries. Secondary antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) with penicillin remains the cornerstone of RHD control, however, suboptimal treatment adherence undermines most secondary prevention programs. Many of the barriers to optimal SAP adherence are specific to the intramuscular form of penicillin and may potentially be overcome by use of oral penicillin. This noninferiority trial is comparing the efficacy of intramuscular to oral penicillin SAP to prevent progression of mild RHD at 2 years. METHODS/DESIGN The Intramuscular vs Enteral Penicillin Prophylaxis to Prevent Progression of Rheumatic Heart Disease (GOALIE) trial is randomizing Ugandan children aged 5 to 17 years identified by echocardiographic screening with mild RHD (Stage A or B as defined by 2023 World Heart Federation criteria) to Benzathine Benzyl Penicillin G (BPG arm, every-28-day intramuscular penicillin) or Phenoxymethyl Penicillin (Pen V arm, twice daily oral penicillin) for a period of 2 years. A blinded echocardiography adjudication panel of 3 RHD experts and 2 cardiologists is determining the echocardiographic stage of RHD at enrollment and will do the same at study completion by consensus review. Treatment adherence and study retention are supported through peer support groups and case management strategies. The primary outcome is the proportion of children in the Pen V arm who progress to more advanced RHD compared to those in the BPG arm. Secondary outcomes are patient-reported outcomes (treatment acceptance, satisfaction, and health related quality of life), costs, and cost-effectiveness of oral compared to intramuscular penicillin prophylaxis for RHD. A total sample size of 1,004 participants will provide 90% power to demonstrate noninferiority using a margin of 4% with allowance for 7% loss to follow-up. Participant enrollment commenced in October 2023 and final participant follow-up is expected in December 2026. The graphical abstract (Fig. 1) summarizes the flow of echocardiographic screening, participant enrollment and follow-up. DISCUSSION The GOALIE trial is critical in global efforts to refine a pragmatic approach to secondary prevention for RHD control. GOALIE insists that the inferiority of oral penicillin be proven contemporarily and against the most important near-term clinical outcome of progression of RHD severity. This work also considers other factors that could influence the adoption of oral prophylaxis and change the calculus for acceptable efficacy including patient-reported outcomes and costs. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05693545.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joselyn Rwebembera
- Division of Adult Cardiology, Department of Adult Cardiology, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - Emma Ndagire
- Division of Paediatric Cardiology, Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Natalie Carvalho
- Economics of Global Health and Infectious Diseases Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Allison R Webel
- Department of Child, Family and Population Health Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Craig Sable
- Division of Cardiology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC
| | - Emmy Okello
- Division of Adult Cardiology, Department of Adult Cardiology, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Rachel Sarnacki
- Global Cardiology Research Initiative, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC
| | - Alison M Spaziani
- Global Cardiology Research Initiative, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC
| | - Atukunda Mucunguzi
- Department of Finance and Administration, Rheumatic Heart Disease Research Collaborative in Uganda, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Daniel Engelman
- Tropical Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Melbourne Children's Global Health Initiative, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Anneke Grobler
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Andrew Steer
- Tropical Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Melbourne Children's Global Health Initiative, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Andrea Beaton
- Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH; Division of Cardiology, The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
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Khowaja R, Khowaja A, Mangi AR, Ammar A, Khan W, Patel N, Nizar R, Khursheed M, Sial JA, Memon RA. Lack of awareness of secondary rheumatic prevention in preoperative candidates for mitral valve surgery - alarming situation. Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 2024; 32:200-205. [PMID: 38778520 DOI: 10.1177/02184923241256409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We conducted this study to assess the compliance with secondary rheumatic prophylaxis among preoperative patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease undergoing valvular heart surgery at a tertiary care cardiac hospital in a developing country. METHODS This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at a tertiary care cardiac hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. The inclusion criteria encompassed patients of any sex, aged between 18 and 80 years, who had been diagnosed with rheumatic mitral valve disease through transthoracic echocardiography and had undergone valvular heart surgery. The level of compliance with secondary rheumatic prophylaxis and barriers toward noncompliance was assessed during routine preoperative interview session. This preventive measure plays a crucial role in reducing the progression of the disease and improving patient outcomes. RESULTS Out of the 239 patients included in the study, 125 (52.3%) were females, with a mean age of 38.8 ± 11.8 years. The majority of patients (88.7%) came from rural areas. Among the patients, 79 (33.1%) received rheumatic prophylaxis, while 160 (66.9%) did not adhere to it regularly. The common barriers for receiving rheumatic prophylaxis were non availability (41.0%) and nonaffordability (40.6%). Additionally, 28.0% of patients had lacked awareness of the importance of rheumatic prophylaxis, and 2.5% expressed fear of injection site pain and subsequent symptoms. CONCLUSIONS A concerning level of noncompliance with secondary rheumatic prophylaxis was observed. The barriers identified in patients who did not receive rheumatic prophylaxis were primarily related to affordability, availability, lack of awareness, and fear of injection site pain and subsequent symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raheela Khowaja
- National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Aamir Khowaja
- National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Ali Raza Mangi
- National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Ali Ammar
- National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Waqar Khan
- National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Nehrish Patel
- National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Rabia Nizar
- National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Karachi, Pakistan
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Safiri S, Mousavi SE, Noori M, Nejadghaderi SA, Sullman MJM, Singh K, Kolahi AA. The burden of rheumatic heart disease in the Middle East and North Africa region, 1990-2019. Arch Cardiovasc Dis 2023; 116:542-554. [PMID: 37863752 DOI: 10.1016/j.acvd.2023.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a treatable and preventable condition resulting from acute rheumatic fever. AIM To report the prevalence, mortality and disability-adjusted life-years (DALY) due to RHD in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region from 1990 to 2019, by sex, age group, country and sociodemographic index (SDI). METHODS Information on the prevalence, mortality and DALY associated with RHD were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Data were gathered for all countries in the MENA region over the period 1990-2019. These data included counts and age-standardized rates per 100,000, accompanied by 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). RESULTS The MENA region had an age-standardized point prevalence of 388.9 per 100,000 in 2019, which was 5.4% higher than in 1990. The annual incidence rate was 1.6, which was 63.4% lower than in 1990. There were 379.4 thousand DALY attributable to RHD in 2019, with an age-standardized rate of 67.1, which was 61.3% lower than in 1990. In 2019, an estimated 7.4 thousand deaths were due to RHD, and the age-standardized death rate was 63.4% lower in 2019 than in 1990. DALY rates rose steadily with increasing age in both males and females. The SDI correlated negatively with the rate of DALY for RHD throughout the study period. CONCLUSION The burden of RHD in MENA declined from 1990 to 2019, demonstrating the importance of regularly updating health data and identifying risk factors, and developing effective guidelines on prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeid Safiri
- Clinical Research Development Unit of Tabriz-Valiasr Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Clinical Research Development Unit of Tabriz-Valiasr Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Seyed Ehsan Mousavi
- Neurosciences Research Center, Aging Research Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Maryam Noori
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Aria Nejadghaderi
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran; Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Expert Group (SRMEG), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mark J M Sullman
- Department of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus; Department of Social Sciences, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Kuljit Singh
- Department of Cardiology, Gold Coast University Hospital, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia; Department of Medicine, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ali-Asghar Kolahi
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Shahid-Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Cadarette D, Ferranna M, Cannon JW, Abbas K, Giannini F, Zucker L, Bloom DE. The full health, economic, and social benefits of prospective Strep A vaccination. NPJ Vaccines 2023; 8:166. [PMID: 37903813 PMCID: PMC10616198 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-023-00758-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent research has documented a wide range of health, economic, and social benefits conferred by vaccination, beyond the direct reductions in morbidity, mortality, and future healthcare costs traditionally captured in economic evaluations. In this paper, we describe the societal benefits that would likely stem from widespread administration of safe and effective vaccines against Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A), which was estimated to be the fifth-leading cause of infectious disease deaths globally prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. We then estimate the global societal gains from prospective Strep A vaccination through a value-per-statistical-life approach. Estimated aggregate lifetime benefits for 30 global birth cohorts range from $1.7 to $5.1 trillion, depending on the age at which vaccination is administered and other factors. These results suggest that the benefits of Strep A vaccination would be large and justify substantial investment in the vaccines' development, manufacture, and delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maddalena Ferranna
- University of Southern California Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey W Cannon
- Wesfarmers Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Kaja Abbas
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Fiona Giannini
- Wesfarmers Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Leo Zucker
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David E Bloom
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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Minja NW, Pulle J, Rwebembera J, de Loizaga SR, Fall N, Ollberding N, Abrams J, Atala J, Kamarembo J, Oyella L, Odong F, Nalubwama H, Nakagaayi D, Sarnacki R, Su Y, Dexheimer JW, Sable C, Longenecker CT, Danforth K, Okello E, Beaton AZ, Watkins DA. Evaluating the implementation of a dynamic digital application to enable community-based decentralisation of rheumatic heart disease case management in Uganda: protocol for a hybrid type III effectiveness-implementation study. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e071540. [PMID: 37898491 PMCID: PMC10619093 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-071540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) affects over 39 million people worldwide, the majority in low-income and middle-income countries. Secondary antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP), given every 3-4 weeks can improve outcomes, provided more than 80% of doses are received. Poor adherence is strongly correlated with the distance travelled to receive prophylaxis. Decentralising RHD care has the potential to bridge these gaps and at least maintain or potentially increase RHD prophylaxis uptake. A package of implementation strategies was developed with the aim of reducing barriers to optimum SAP uptake. METHODS AND ANALYSIS A hybrid implementation-effectiveness study type III was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a package of implementation strategies including a digital, cloud-based application to support decentralised RHD care, integrated into the public healthcare system in Uganda. Our overarching hypothesis is that secondary prophylaxis adherence can be maintained or improved via a decentralisation strategy, compared with the centralised delivery strategy, by increasing retention in care. To evaluate this, eligible patients with RHD irrespective of their age enrolled at Lira and Gulu hospital registry sites will be consented for decentralised care at their nearest participating health centre. We estimated a sample size of 150-200 registrants. The primary outcome will be adherence to secondary prophylaxis while detailed implementation measures will be collected to understand barriers and facilitators to decentralisation, digital application tool adoption and ultimately its use and scale-up in the public healthcare system. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (IRB 2021-0160) and Makerere University School of Medicine Research Ethics Committee (Mak-SOMREC-2021-61). Participation will be voluntary and informed consent or assent (>8 but <18) will be obtained prior to participation. At completion, study findings will be communicated to the public, key stakeholders and submitted for publication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neema W Minja
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute (KCRI), Moshi, Tanzania, United Republic of
| | - Jafesi Pulle
- Rheumatic Heart Disease Research Collaborative, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joselyn Rwebembera
- Department of Adult Cardiology, Uganda Heart Institute Ltd, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Sarah R de Loizaga
- The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Ndate Fall
- The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Nicholas Ollberding
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Jessica Abrams
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Reach, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jenifer Atala
- Rheumatic Heart Disease Research Collaborative, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jenipher Kamarembo
- Rheumatic Heart Disease Research Collaborative, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Linda Oyella
- Rheumatic Heart Disease Research Collaborative, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Francis Odong
- Rheumatic Heart Disease Research Collaborative, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Haddy Nalubwama
- Department is Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Doreen Nakagaayi
- Department of Adult Cardiology, Uganda Heart Institute Ltd, Kampala, Uganda
- The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Rachel Sarnacki
- Department of Cardiology, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Yanfang Su
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Judith W Dexheimer
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Craig Sable
- Department of Cardiology, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Chris T Longenecker
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Division of Cardiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Kristen Danforth
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Emmy Okello
- Department of Adult Cardiology, Uganda Heart Institute Ltd, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Andrea Zawacki Beaton
- The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - David A Watkins
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of General Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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de Loizaga SR, Pulle J, Rwebembera J, Abrams J, Atala J, Chesnut E, Danforth K, Fall N, Felicelli N, Lapthorn K, Longenecker CT, Minja NW, Moore RA, Morrison R, Mwangi J, Nakagaayi D, Nakitto M, Sable C, Sanyahumbi A, Sarnacki R, Thembo J, Vincente SL, Watkins D, Zühlke L, Okello E, Beaton A, Dexheimer JW. Development and User Testing of a Dynamic Tool for Rheumatic Heart Disease Management. Appl Clin Inform 2023; 14:866-877. [PMID: 37914157 PMCID: PMC10620041 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1774812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Most rheumatic heart disease (RHD) registries are static and centralized, collecting epidemiological and clinical data without providing tools to improve care. We developed a dynamic cloud-based RHD case management application with the goal of improving care for patients with RHD in Uganda. METHODS The Active Community Case Management Tool (ACT) was designed to improve community-based case management for chronic disease, with RHD as the first test case. Global and local partner consultation informed selection of critical data fields and prioritization of application functionality. Multiple stages of review and revision culminated in user testing of the application at the Uganda Heart Institute. RESULTS Global and local partners provided feedback of the application via survey and interview. The application was well received, and top considerations included avenues to import existing patient data, considering a minimum data entry form, and performing a situation assessment to tailor ACT to the health system setup for each new country. Test users completed a postuse survey. Responses were favorable regarding ease of use, desire to use the application in regular practice, and ability of the application to improve RHD care in Uganda. Concerns included appropriate technical skills and supports and potential disruption of workflow. CONCLUSION Creating the ACT application was a dynamic process, incorporating iterative feedback from local and global partners. Results of the user testing will help refine and optimize the application. The ACT application showed potential for utility and integration into existing care models in Uganda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah R. de Loizaga
- The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
| | - Jafesi Pulle
- Uganda Heart Institute, Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Jessica Abrams
- Division of Paediatric Cardiology, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Reach, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jenifer Atala
- Uganda Heart Institute, Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Emily Chesnut
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
| | - Kristen Danforth
- Department of Global Health & Division of Cardiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Ndate Fall
- The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
| | - Nicholas Felicelli
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
| | - Karen Lapthorn
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
| | - Chris T. Longenecker
- Department of Global Health & Division of Cardiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Neema W. Minja
- Uganda Heart Institute, Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Ryan A. Moore
- The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
| | - Riley Morrison
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
| | | | | | - Miriam Nakitto
- Uganda Heart Institute, Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Craig Sable
- Department of Cardiology, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
| | - Amy Sanyahumbi
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Rachel Sarnacki
- Department of Cardiology, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
| | | | | | - David Watkins
- Department of Global Health & Division of Cardiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Liesl Zühlke
- Division of Cardiology and Paediatric Cardiology, Department of Medicine/Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Emmy Okello
- Uganda Heart Institute, Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Andrea Beaton
- The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
| | - Judith W. Dexheimer
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
- Division of Emergency Medicine and Department of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
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Nalubwama H, Pulle J, Atala J, Sarnacki R, Nakitto M, Namara R, Beaton A, Kansiime R, Mwima R, Ndagire E, Okello E, Watkins D. A Qualitative Study of Patients' Experiences, Enablers and Barriers of Rheumatic Heart Disease Care in Uganda. Glob Heart 2023; 18:6. [PMID: 36846723 PMCID: PMC9951636 DOI: 10.5334/gh.1181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remains a significant public health problem in countries with limited health resources. People living with RHD face numerous social challenges and have difficulty navigating ill-equipped health systems. This study sought to understand the impact of RHD on PLWRHD and their households and families in Uganda. Methods In this qualitative study, we conducted in-depth interviews with 36 people living with RHD sampled purposively from Uganda's national RHD research registry, stratifying the sample by geography and severity of disease. Our interview guides and data analysis used a combination of inductive and deductive methods, with the latter informed by the socio-ecological model. We ran thematic content analysis to identify codes that were then collapsed into themes. Coding was done independently by three analysts, who compared their results and iteratively updated the codebook. Results The inductive portion of our analysis, which focused on the patient experience, revealed a significant impact of RHD on work and school. Participants often lived in fear of the future, faced limited childbirth choices, experienced domestic conflict, and suffered stigmatization and low self-esteem. The deductive portion of our analysis focused on barriers and enablers to care. Major barriers included the high out-of-pocket cost of medicines and travel to health facilities, as well as poor access to RHD diagnostics and medications. Major enablers included family and social support, financial support within the community, and good relationships with health workers, though this varied considerably by location. Conclusion Despite several personal and community factors that support resilience, PLWRHD in Uganda experience a range of negative physical, emotional, and social consequences from their condition. Greater investment is needed in primary healthcare systems to support decentralized, patient-centered care for RHD. Implementing evidence-based interventions that prevent RHD at district level could greatly reduce the scale of human suffering. There is need to increase investment in primary prevention and tackling social determinants, to reduce the incidence of RHD in communities where the condition remains endemic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Rebecca Namara
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle WA, USA
| | - Andrea Beaton
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - David Watkins
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle WA, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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Hla TK, Osowicki J, Salman S, Batty KT, Marsh JA, Kado J, Barr R, Enkel SL, Snelling TL, McCarthy J, Steer AC, Carapetis J, Manning L. Study protocol for controlled human infection for penicillin G against Streptococcus pyogenes: a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomised trial to determine the minimum concentration required to prevent experimental pharyngitis (the CHIPS trial). BMJ Open 2022; 12:e064022. [PMID: 36600395 PMCID: PMC9743388 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-064022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Regular intramuscular benzathine penicillin G injections have been the cornerstone of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) secondary prophylaxis since the 1950s. As the pharmacological correlate of protection remains unknown, it is difficult to recommend changes to this established regimen. Determining the minimum effective penicillin exposure required to prevent Streptococcus pyogenes infection will accelerate development of new long-acting penicillins for RHD prevention as well as inform opportunities to improve existing regimens. The CHIPS trial will address this knowledge gap by directly testing protection afforded by different steady state plasma concentrations of penicillin in an established model of experimental human S. pyogenes pharyngitis. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This is a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomised experimental human infection study. Sixty healthy adult volunteers aged 18-40 years will be recruited and randomised 1:1:1:1:1 to continuous intravenous penicillin infusions targeting five different steady state plasma concentrations of 0 (placebo), 3, 6, 12 and 20 ng/mL via a midline catheter. Each participant's penicillin pharmacokinetic parameters will be established prior to the challenge, to ensure accurate dosing for the continuous infusion. Following the challenge with a well-characterised strain of S. pyogenes, participants will be observed for up to 6 days for the development of pharyngitis and treated with antibiotics prior to discharge. The primary objective is to determine the minimum effective steady-state plasma penicillin concentration required to prevent experimental pharyngitis. Secondary objectives will explore systemic and mucosal immunoinflammatory responses during pharyngitis, bacterial colonisation dynamics, environmental contamination and qualitative evaluation of the participant experience. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval has been obtained (Bellberry Human Research Ethics Committee). Findings will be reported in peer-reviewed publications and presented at national/international stakeholder forums. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ACTRN12621000751875.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thel Khin Hla
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines & Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Joshua Osowicki
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne Department of General Medicine, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sam Salman
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines & Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Kevin T Batty
- Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Julie A Marsh
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines & Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Joseph Kado
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines & Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Renae Barr
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines & Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Stephanie L Enkel
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines & Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Thomas L Snelling
- The University of Sydney School of Public Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Andrew C Steer
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne Department of General Medicine, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jonathan Carapetis
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines & Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Laurens Manning
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines & Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
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Rwebembera J, Nascimento BR, Minja NW, de Loizaga S, Aliku T, dos Santos LPA, Galdino BF, Corte LS, Silva VR, Chang AY, Dutra WO, Nunes MCP, Beaton AZ. Recent Advances in the Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease Continuum. Pathogens 2022; 11:179. [PMID: 35215123 PMCID: PMC8878614 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11020179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nearly a century after rheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) was eradicated from the developed world, the disease remains endemic in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with grim health and socioeconomic impacts. The neglect of RHD which persisted for a semi-centennial was further driven by competing infectious diseases, particularly the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic. However, over the last two-decades, slowly at first but with building momentum, there has been a resurgence of interest in RF/RHD. In this narrative review, we present the advances that have been made in the RF/RHD continuum over the past two decades since the re-awakening of interest, with a more concise focus on the last decade's achievements. Such primary advances include understanding the genetic predisposition to RHD, group A Streptococcus (GAS) vaccine development, and improved diagnostic strategies for GAS pharyngitis. Echocardiographic screening for RHD has been a major advance which has unearthed the prevailing high burden of RHD and the recent demonstration of benefit of secondary antibiotic prophylaxis on halting progression of latent RHD is a major step forward. Multiple befitting advances in tertiary management of RHD have also been realized. Finally, we summarize the research gaps and provide illumination on profitable future directions towards global eradication of RHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joselyn Rwebembera
- Department of Adult Cardiology (JR), Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala 37392, Uganda
| | - Bruno Ramos Nascimento
- Departamento de Clinica Medica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil; (B.R.N.); (L.P.A.d.S.); (B.F.G.); (L.S.C.); (V.R.S.); (M.C.P.N.)
- Servico de Cardiologia e Cirurgia Cardiovascular e Centro de Telessaude, Hospital das Clinicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Professor Alfredo Balena 110, 1st Floor, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil
| | - Neema W. Minja
- Rheumatic Heart Disease Research Collaborative in Uganda, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala 37392, Uganda;
| | - Sarah de Loizaga
- School of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; (S.d.L.); (A.Z.B.)
| | - Twalib Aliku
- Department of Paediatric Cardiology (TA), Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala 37392, Uganda;
| | - Luiza Pereira Afonso dos Santos
- Departamento de Clinica Medica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil; (B.R.N.); (L.P.A.d.S.); (B.F.G.); (L.S.C.); (V.R.S.); (M.C.P.N.)
| | - Bruno Fernandes Galdino
- Departamento de Clinica Medica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil; (B.R.N.); (L.P.A.d.S.); (B.F.G.); (L.S.C.); (V.R.S.); (M.C.P.N.)
| | - Luiza Silame Corte
- Departamento de Clinica Medica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil; (B.R.N.); (L.P.A.d.S.); (B.F.G.); (L.S.C.); (V.R.S.); (M.C.P.N.)
| | - Vicente Rezende Silva
- Departamento de Clinica Medica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil; (B.R.N.); (L.P.A.d.S.); (B.F.G.); (L.S.C.); (V.R.S.); (M.C.P.N.)
| | - Andrew Young Chang
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA;
| | - Walderez Ornelas Dutra
- Laboratory of Cell-Cell Interactions, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil;
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Tropical Diseases (INCT-DT), Salvador 40170-970, BA, Brazil
| | - Maria Carmo Pereira Nunes
- Departamento de Clinica Medica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil; (B.R.N.); (L.P.A.d.S.); (B.F.G.); (L.S.C.); (V.R.S.); (M.C.P.N.)
- Servico de Cardiologia e Cirurgia Cardiovascular e Centro de Telessaude, Hospital das Clinicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Professor Alfredo Balena 110, 1st Floor, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil
| | - Andrea Zawacki Beaton
- School of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; (S.d.L.); (A.Z.B.)
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, The Heart Institute, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
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10
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Community Perspectives on Primary Prevention of Rheumatic Heart Disease in Uganda. Glob Heart 2022; 17:5. [PMID: 35174046 PMCID: PMC8782090 DOI: 10.5334/gh.1094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Wright CH, Longenecker CT, Nazzindah R, Kityo C, Najjuuko T, Taylor K, Rentrope CR, Webel A. A Mixed Methods, Observational Investigation of Physical Activity, Exercise, and Diet Among Older Ugandans Living With and Without Chronic HIV Infection. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care 2021; 32:640-651. [PMID: 33273157 DOI: 10.1097/jnc.0000000000000221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT People living with HIV (PLWH) are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Physical activity, exercise, and controlled diet can mitigate this risk, yet these behaviors are understudied in sub-Saharan Africa. Our objective was to describe and compare the meaning, value, and patterns of physical activity, exercise, and diet among PLWH and older adults without HIV in Uganda. This mixed methods, observational study included 30 adult PLWH and 29 adults without HIV who (a) wore an accelerometer to measure physical activity; (b) had weight, height, and waist and hip circumference measured; (c) completed physical fitness measures; and (d) used digital cameras to record photographs and videos of their typical diet and physical activities. Participants were approximately 58 years old and 68% female. Approximately 20% of PLWH and 40% of adults without HIV met physical activity guidelines (p > .05). Qualitative themes included engaging in a variety of exercise, structural barriers to exercising, and typical meals. Older adults in Uganda have low levels of physical activity and homogenous diets, increasing their risk for cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea H Wright
- Chelsea H. Wright, MD, is a Family Medicine Resident, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Chris T. Longenecker, MD, FAHA, is an Associate Professor of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Rashidah Nazzindah, MBChB, PhD, is a Physician, Joint Clinical Research Center, Kampala, Uganda. Cissy Kityo, MBChB, PhD, is a Director, Joint Clinical Research Center, Kampala, Uganda. Theresa Najjuuko, BSN, is a Research Nurse, Joint Clinical Research Center, Kampala, Uganda. Kirsten Taylor, is an Undergraduate Student, Case Western Reserve University College of Arts and Sciences, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Cynthia Robin Rentrope, MSSA, MPH, LSW, is a Research Assistant IV, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Allison Webel, RN, PhD, FAAN, is an Associate Professor of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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12
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Edwards JG, Barry M, Essam D, Elsayed M, Abdulkarim M, Elhossein BMA, Mohammed ZHA, Elnogomi A, Elfaki ASE, Elsayed A, Chang AY. Health system and patient-level factors serving as facilitators and barriers to rheumatic heart disease care in Sudan. Glob Health Res Policy 2021; 6:35. [PMID: 34598719 PMCID: PMC8486630 DOI: 10.1186/s41256-021-00222-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa despite widely available preventive therapies such as prophylactic benzathine penicillin G (BPG). In this study, we sought to characterize facilitators and barriers to optimal RHD treatment with BPG in Sudan. METHODS We conducted a mixed-methods study, collecting survey data from 397 patients who were enrolled in a national RHD registry between July and November 2017. The cross-sectional surveys included information on demographics, healthcare access, and patient perspectives on treatment barriers and facilitators. Factors associated with increased likelihood of RHD treatment adherence to prophylactic BPG were assessed by using adjusted logistic regression. These data were enhanced by focus group discussions with 20 participants, to further explore health system factors impacting RHD care. RESULTS Our quantitative analysis revealed that only 32% of the study cohort reported optimal prophylaxis adherence. Younger age, reduced primary RHD healthcare facility wait time, perception of adequate health facility staffing, increased treatment costs, and high patient knowledge about RHD were significantly associated with increased odds of treatment adherence. Qualitative data revealed significant barriers to RHD treatment arising from health services factors at the health system level, including lack of access due to inadequate healthcare staffing, lack of faith in local healthcare systems, poor ancillary services, and patient lack of understanding of disease. Facilitators of RHD treatment included strong interpersonal support. CONCLUSIONS Multiple patient and system-level barriers to RHD prophylaxis adherence were identified in Khartoum, Sudan. These included patient self-efficacy and participant perception of healthcare facility quality. Strengthening local health system infrastructure, while enhancing RHD patient education, may help to improve treatment adherence in this vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey G. Edwards
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA USA
- Present Address: Boston Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Boston University School of Medicine, Residency Program Coordinator, c/o Jeffrey Edwards, 801 Albany, St Boston, MA 02119-2598 USA
- Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Michele Barry
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA USA
- Center for Innovation in Global Health, Stanford University, Stanford, CA USA
| | - Dary Essam
- Alazhari Health Research Center, Alzaeim Alazhari University, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Mohammed Elsayed
- Alazhari Health Research Center, Alzaeim Alazhari University, Khartoum, Sudan
| | | | | | - Zahia H. A. Mohammed
- Faculty of Medicine, Alzaeim Alazhari University, Khartoum, Sudan
- Department of Psychiatry, Alzaeim Alazhari University Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | | | - Amna S. E. Elfaki
- Alazhari Health Research Center, Alzaeim Alazhari University, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Ahmed Elsayed
- Alazhari Health Research Center, Alzaeim Alazhari University, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Andrew Y. Chang
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA USA
- Center for Innovation in Global Health, Stanford University, Stanford, CA USA
- Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA USA
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a neglected disease of poverty, which presents challenges for patients, communities, and health systems. These effects are magnified in low resource countries, which bear the highest disease burden. When considering the impact of RHD, it is imperative that we widen our lens in order to better understand how RHD impacts the over 40 million people currently living with this preventable condition and their communities. We aimed to perform an updated literature review on the global impact of RHD, examining a broad range of aspects from disease burden to impact on healthcare system to socioeconomic implications. RECENT FINDINGS RHD accounts for 1.6% of all cardiovascular deaths, resulting in 306,000 deaths yearly, with a much higher contribution in low- and middle-income countries, where 82% of the deaths occurred in 2015. RHD can result in severe health adverse outcomes, markedly heart failure, arrhythmias, stroke and embolisms, and ultimately premature death. Thus, preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions are required, although insufficiently available in undersourced settings. As examples, anticoagulation management is poor in endemic regions - and novel oral anticoagulants cannot be recommended - and less than 15% of those in need have access to interventional procedures and valve replacement in Africa. RHD global impact remains high and unequally distributed, with a marked impact on lower resourced populations. This preventable disease negatively affects not only patients, but also the societies and health systems within which they live, presenting broad challenges and high costs along the pathway of prevention, diagnosis, and management.
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14
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de Loizaga SR, Beaton AZ, Nascimento BR, Macedo FVB, Spolaor BCM, de Pádua LB, Ribeiro TFS, Oliveira GCF, Oliveira LR, de Almeida LFR, Moura TD, de Barros TT, Sable C, Nunes MCP. Diagnosing rheumatic heart disease: where are we now and what are the challenges? Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther 2021; 19:777-786. [PMID: 34424119 DOI: 10.1080/14779072.2021.1970531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Rheumatic heart disease (RHD), a sequela of acute rheumatic fever (ARF), affects 40.5 million people worldwide. The burden of disease disproportionately falls on low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) and sub-populations within high-income countries (HIC). Advances have been made in earlier detection of RHD, though several barriers to ideal management persist. AREAS COVERED This article reviews the current burden of RHD, highlighting the disparate impact of disease. It also reviews the clinical and echocardiographic presentation of RHD, as some may present in late stages of disease with associated complications. Finally, we review the advances which have been made in echocardiographic screening to detect latent RHD, highlighting the challenges which remain regarding secondary prophylaxis management and uncertainty of best practices for treatment of latent RHD. EXPERT OPINION Advances in technology and validation of portable echocardiography have made screening and identifying latent RHD feasible in the most burdened regions. However, uncertainty remains around best management of those with latent RHD and best methods to ensure ideal secondary prophylaxis for RHD. Research regarding latent RHD management, as well as continued work on innovative solutions (such as group A streptococcal vaccine), are promising as efforts to improve outcomes of this preventable disease persist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah R de Loizaga
- The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Andrea Z Beaton
- The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, Oh, United States
| | - Bruno R Nascimento
- Hospital das Clínicas da Ufmg, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.,Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Mg, Brazil
| | | | | | - Lucas Bretas de Pádua
- Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | | | - Lucas Rocha Oliveira
- Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Craig Sable
- Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Maria Carmo Pereira Nunes
- Hospital das Clínicas da Ufmg, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.,Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Mg, Brazil
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15
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Adem A, Dukessa Gemechu T, Jarso H, Reta W. Rheumatic Heart Disease Patients' Adherence to Secondary Prophylaxis and Associated Factors at Hospitals in Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia: A Multicenter Study. Patient Prefer Adherence 2020; 14:2399-2406. [PMID: 33304095 PMCID: PMC7723230 DOI: 10.2147/ppa.s281413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a major cause of preventable premature cardiovascular-related death in developing countries. However, information regarding adherence rates and associated factors is limited and inconsistent in Ethiopia. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted from August to November 2019 among selected RHD patients on follow-up at four hospitals in Jimma zone. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Adherence of RHD patients to secondary prophylaxis in the previous consecutive 12 months was assessed based on the annual frequency of received prophylaxis (monthly injection of benzathine penicillin). Good adherence was considered the patient receiving >80% of the annual dose. The collected data were entered into Epidata 3.1 and analysed using SPSS 23. RESULTS A total of 253 RHD patients taking prophylaxis were included in the analysis, and of those 178 (70.4%) were female, giving a male:female ratio of 1:2.4. The mean age was 24±11 (6-65) years. About 63% had good adherence to benzathine penicillin prophylaxis. New York Heart Association functional class I and II, rural residence, >30 km from health facility, and duration of prophylaxis >5 years were associated with poor adherence (respectively: AOR 12.6 [95% CI 2.5-63], P=0.016; AOR 6.8 [95% CI 1.9-24.4], P=0.003; AOR 5.5 [95% CI 1.2-26.7], P=0.046; AOR 1.2 [95% CI 1.1-3.2], P=0.021). Leading barriers to good adherence were long distance from the treatment setting (56.9%), followed by lack of money (38%). CONCLUSION Patients with class I and II heart failure and those living in rural areas, especially >30 km from a hospital, were identified to be poorly adherent to secondary prophylaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alinur Adem
- Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Health Science, Jimma University, Jimma, Oromia, Ethiopia
| | - Tadesse Dukessa Gemechu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Health Science, Jimma University, Jimma, Oromia, Ethiopia
| | - Habtemu Jarso
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Institute of Health Science, Jimma University, Jimma, Oromia, Ethiopia
| | - Wondu Reta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health Science, Jimma University, Jimma, Oromia, Ethiopia
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Voleti S, Okello E, Murali M, Sarnacki R, Majwala A, Ssembatya R, Bakka O, Namisanvu H, Njeri A, Matovu A, DeStigter K, Sable C, Beaton A. The personal and clinical impact of screen-detected maternal rheumatic heart disease in Uganda: a prospective follow up study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2020; 20:611. [PMID: 33036571 PMCID: PMC7547429 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-020-03189-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pre-existing maternal cardiac disease is a significant contributor to adverse maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes. In 2015-2017, our team conducted the first community-based study of maternal rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in sub-Saharan Africa and identified RHD in 88% of those with pre-existing heart disease. Here we conducted a follow up investigation of women previously identified with RHD, describing clinical and echocardiographic outcomes, identifying barriers to medical adherence and evaluating the personal impact of RHD. METHODS A 2 week prospective follow up was completed at sites in Central and Eastern Uganda. Participants underwent a three-step mixed methods study comprising of 1) direct structured interview targeting clinical history and medication adherence, 2) echocardiogram to evaluate left-sided heart valves, and 3) semi-structured guideline interview to elicit personal impacts of RHD. RESULTS The team evaluated 40 (80%) of the original 51 mothers with RHD at a median post-partum time of 2.5 years after delivery (IQR 0.5). Echocardiographic data showed improvement in nine women with the remaining 31 women showing stable echocardiographic findings. Adherence to Benzathine penicillin G (BPG) prophylaxis was poor, with 70% of patients either poorly adherent or non-adherent. Three major themes emerged from interviews: 1) social determinants of health (World Health Organization, Social determinants of health, 2019) negatively affecting healthcare, 2) RHD diagnosis negatively affecting female societal wellbeing, 3) central role of spouse in medical decision making. CONCLUSIONS Screening echocardiography can identify women with pre-existing rheumatic heart disease during pregnancy, but long-term follow-up in Uganda reveals adherence to medical care following diagnosis, including BPG, is poor. Additionally, mothers diagnosed with RHD may experience unintended consequences such as social stigmatization. As identification of occult RHD is critical to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes, further research is needed to determine how to best support women who face a new diagnosis of RHD, and to determine the role of screening echocardiography in high-risk settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Voleti
- Department of Cardiology, Children's National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20010, USA.
| | - Emmy Okello
- The Uganda Heart Institute, Ward 1 C, Mulago Hospital Complex, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Meghna Murali
- Department of Cardiology, Children's National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20010, USA
| | - Rachel Sarnacki
- Department of Cardiology, Children's National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20010, USA
| | - Albert Majwala
- The Uganda Heart Institute, Ward 1 C, Mulago Hospital Complex, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Renny Ssembatya
- Imaging the World Africa, Naayla-Namugongo Rd, Naayla, Uganda
| | - Olivia Bakka
- Imaging the World Africa, Naayla-Namugongo Rd, Naayla, Uganda
| | | | - Angela Njeri
- Imaging the World Africa, Naayla-Namugongo Rd, Naayla, Uganda
| | | | - Kristen DeStigter
- University of Vermont Medical Center, 111 Colchester Avenue, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Craig Sable
- Department of Cardiology, Children's National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20010, USA
| | - Andrea Beaton
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,The University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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17
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Mekonen KK, Yismaw MB, Abiye AA, Tadesse TA. Adherence to Benzathine Penicillin G Secondary Prophylaxis and Its Determinants in Patients with Rheumatic Heart Disease at a Cardiac Center of an Ethiopian Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital. Patient Prefer Adherence 2020; 14:343-352. [PMID: 32110000 PMCID: PMC7037216 DOI: 10.2147/ppa.s238423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Benzathine penicillin G (BPG) monthly administration is the most effective method for secondary prophylaxis against acute rheumatic fever (ARF). BPG's efficacy largely depends on adherence to treatment. This study was aimed at assessing adherence to BPG prophylaxis and its determinants among adult patients with rheumatic heart disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS An institutional cross-sectional study design was used. One hundred and forty-five patients receiving monthly BPG at the Adult Cardiac Clinic of Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH) were interviewed. Their 1-year BPG prophylaxis administration record was also reviewed. The rate of adherence to BPG injection was determined by calculating the percentage of the administered drug from the total expected doses. Data were entered and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 25. Both descriptive and logistic regression analyses were computed to describe different variables and assess factors associated with adherence, respectively. A p-value <0.05 was used to declare association. RESULTS Among a total of 145 study participants involved, the majority (76.6%) of them had been receiving BPG for the last 10 years. The average adherence rate to monthly BPG injection was 80.60% with a range of 0% to 100%. However, only 101 (69.7%) of participants were taking ≥80% of their prescribed monthly BPG prophylaxis doses. Study participants with informal education 1.10 (0.023-46.96) and secondary school education 0.89 (0.10-8.11) were more and less likely to adhere to BPG injection, respectively, when compared with those who attended higher education programs. The regression analysis showed patients who were not admitted to the hospital (AOR: 26.22; CI: 2.55-269.70; p=0.006) and once admitted patients (AOR: 50.08; CI: 2.87-873.77; p=0.007) were more likely to adhere to their BPG injections than those admitted twice or more. The study participants who waited until the next appointment were also less adherent (AOR: 0.02; CI: 0.00-0.13; p=0.000) than those who went a few days later for receiving the missed/late dose. CONCLUSION The adherence rate to BPG injection among RHD patients was found to be high (80.60%). Patients' admission status and their action on missed and/or late doses were found to be important determinants of adherence in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kajela Kibirat Mekonen
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Malede Berihun Yismaw
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Alfoalem Araba Abiye
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Tamrat Assefa Tadesse
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Correspondence: Tamrat Assefa Tadesse P.O. Box: 9086, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Email
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18
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Rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease: Facts and research progress in Africa. Int J Cardiol 2019; 295:48-55. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2019.07.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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19
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Woods JA, Katzenellenbogen JM. Adherence to Secondary Prophylaxis Among Patients with Acute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease. Curr Cardiol Rev 2019; 15:239-241. [PMID: 31084592 PMCID: PMC6719386 DOI: 10.2174/1573403x1503190506120953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- John A Woods
- Western Australian Centre for Rural Health, School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Judith M Katzenellenbogen
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.,Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
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Oetzel JG, Lao C, Morley M, Penman K, Child M, Scott N, Karalus M. Efficacy of an incentive intervention on secondary prophylaxis for young people with rheumatic fever: a multiple baseline study. BMC Public Health 2019; 19:385. [PMID: 30953495 PMCID: PMC6451207 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-6695-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute rheumatic fever in New Zealand persists and is a barometer of equity as its burden almost exclusively falls on Māori and Pacific Island populations. The primary objective of this study is to determine whether an incentive programme will result in increased secondary prophylaxis injections over a one-year period compared to a baseline period prior to the intervention. METHODS The evaluation used a multiple baseline study to determine whether an incentive consisting of a mobile phone and monthly "top-up" (for data/calls) resulted in increased injections, increased texts/calls with nurses, reduced number of visits to get a successful injection, less medicine wasted, and increased nurse satisfaction. Participants were 77 young people (aged 14-21) on an acute rheumatic fever registry in Waikato region, New Zealand classified as either fully adherent (all injections received and no more than one late) or partially adherent based on injections at baseline. RESULTS There was a sharp increase in injections for intermittent patients post-intervention and then a slight decrease overtime, while fully adherent patients maintained their high rate of injections (p = .003). A similar pattern for nurse satisfaction emerged (p = .001). The number of calls/texts increased for all patients (p = .003). The number of visits went down for partially adherent patients and up for fully adherent patients (p = .012). The overall incremental cost-effectiveness was $989 per extra successful injection although costs increased sharply toward the end of the intervention. CONCLUSIONS Incentivising secondary prophylaxis appears to have a strong impact for partially adherent patients, particularly during the early periods following the initiation of the intervention. Enhancing communication with patients who returned to care may result in more sustainable adherence. TRIAL REGISTRATION Retrospectively registered: Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12618001150235 , 12 July 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- John G Oetzel
- Waikato Management School, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand.
| | - Chunhuan Lao
- Waikato Management School, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
| | - Michelle Morley
- Pinnacle Midlands Health Network, Norris Ward McKinnon House, 711 Victoria Street, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
| | - Kathy Penman
- Waikato District Health Board, Pembroke Street, Private Bag 3200, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
| | - Maree Child
- Waikato District Health Board, Pembroke Street, Private Bag 3200, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
| | - Nina Scott
- Waikato District Health Board, Pembroke Street, Private Bag 3200, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
| | - Miina Karalus
- Waikato District Health Board, Pembroke Street, Private Bag 3200, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
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Sanyahumbi A, Beaton A, Guffey D, Hosseinipour MC, Karlsten M, Minard CG, Penny DJ, Sable CA, Kazembe PN. Two-year evolution of latent rheumatic heart disease in Malawi. CONGENIT HEART DIS 2019; 14:614-618. [PMID: 30706669 DOI: 10.1111/chd.12756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In asymptomatic children, screening echocardiography has been used to attempt to diagnose rheumatic heart disease (RHD) at an early stage (latent RHD). World Heart Federation guidelines have standardized categorization of "definite," "borderline," or no RHD by echo findings. The progression of RHD diagnosed through echo screening is not known. In 2014, we screened 1450 schoolchildren in Malawi. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to evaluate 2-year RHD evolution among those diagnosed through screening. METHODS Two-year follow-up echocardiograms of those diagnosed with latent RHD were read by a primary, secondary, then third reader if there was disagreement. Progression or regression of both definite and borderline groups were tabulated. Penicillin adherence, age, gender, number in home, and household income were compared between those with definite RHD who regressed to borderline and those that stayed definite. We utilized the local system used to track HIV defaulters in order to bring participants back into care. Comparisons were made using Fisher's exact and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. RESULTS Of the 39 with borderline RHD, 1 was lost to follow-up (2.6%), 1 progressed to definite (2.6%), 19 remained borderline (48.7%), 17 (43.6%) regressed to normal, and 1 was reclassified as mitral valve prolapse (2.6%). Of the 11 with definite RHD, 6 (54.5%) remained definite, 4 regressed to borderline (36.4%), and 1 regressed to normal (9.1%). Two of 11 with definite RHD had penicillin adherence above 80% for the 2-year follow-up period. There were no differences in adherence, gender, age, household income, or number in household between those with definite RHD that regressed to borderline and those who did not (P > .19). CONCLUSIONS Borderlines had a very low progression rate to definite RHD. A strength of our study was a high retention rate (98%). Longer follow-up is needed to determine expected disease evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Sanyahumbi
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Andrea Beaton
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Danielle Guffey
- Dan L Duncan Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Mina C Hosseinipour
- Department of Infectious Disease, University of North Carolina Project, University of North Carolina, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Melissa Karlsten
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Charles G Minard
- Dan L Duncan Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Daniel J Penny
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Craig A Sable
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Children's National Heart Institute, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Peter N Kazembe
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine Clinical Center of Excellence, Lilongwe, Malawi
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Longenecker CT, Kalra A, Okello E, Lwabi P, Omagino JO, Kityo C, Kamya MR, Webel AR, Simon DI, Salata RA, Costa MA. A Human-Centered Approach to CV Care: Infrastructure Development in Uganda. Glob Heart 2018; 13:347-354. [PMID: 29685638 PMCID: PMC6258347 DOI: 10.1016/j.gheart.2018.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Revised: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In this case study, we describe an ongoing approach to develop sustainable acute and chronic cardiovascular care infrastructure in Uganda that involves patient and provider participation. Leveraging strong infrastructure for HIV/AIDS care delivery, University Hospitals Harrington Heart and Vascular Institute and Case Western Reserve University have partnered with U.S. and Ugandan collaborators to improve cardiovascular capabilities. The collaboration has solicited innovative solutions from patients and providers focusing on education and advanced training, penicillin supply, diagnostic strategy (e.g., hand-held ultrasound), maternal health, and community awareness. Key outcomes of this approach have been the completion of formal training of the first interventional cardiologists and heart failure specialists in the country, establishment of 4 integrated regional centers of excellence in rheumatic heart disease care with a national rheumatic heart disease registry, a penicillin distribution and adherence support program focused on retention in care, access to imaging technology, and in-country capabilities to treat advanced rheumatic heart valve disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher T Longenecker
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Ankur Kalra
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | | | | | - Cissy Kityo
- Joint Clinical Research Centre, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Moses R Kamya
- Department of Medicine, Makerere University School of Medicine, Mulago Hill, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Allison R Webel
- Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Daniel I Simon
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Robert A Salata
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Marco A Costa
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
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Engelman D, Ah Kee M, Mataika RL, Kado JH, Colquhoun SM, Tulloch J, Steer AC. Secondary prevention for screening detected rheumatic heart disease: opportunities to improve adherence. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2018; 111:154-162. [PMID: 28673022 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trx035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Secondary prevention is an effective treatment for rheumatic heart disease (RHD), but ensuring high adherence to prophylaxis over many years is challenging and requires understanding of local factors. Methods Participants were young people diagnosed with RHD through echocardiographic screening in Fiji. We used a structured interview to evaluate the following: health seeking behaviours; attitudes, practice, barriers and potential improvement strategies for adherence to antibiotic prophylaxis; and adolescent-friendly qualities of the health service. Results One hundred and one participants were interviewed (median age, 17.2 years). Adherence was very low overall (adequate in 6%). Sore throat and fever with sore joints were experienced in the preceding year by 42% and 28%, respectively. Barriers to receiving treatment included taking alternate treatments and the perception that symptoms were benign and self-limiting. Reasons for missing prophylaxis injections included lack of awareness, feeling well, transport cost and access, and medication unavailability (>40% of participants each). The injection health service had many perceived strengths, but inclusion of adolescents in decision making, and quality of educational materials were deficiencies. Reminder strategies, particularly phone-based reminders, were considered helpful by 94%. Conclusions We identified several factors influencing secondary prevention that may be used to develop interventions to improve adherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Engelman
- Centre for International Child Health, Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Group A Streptococcal Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,General Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Maureen Ah Kee
- Fiji Rheumatic Heart Disease Control Program, Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Suva, Fiji
| | - Reapi L Mataika
- Department of Paediatrics, Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Suva, Fiji
| | - Joseph H Kado
- Fiji Rheumatic Heart Disease Control Program, Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Suva, Fiji.,Department of Paediatrics, Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Suva, Fiji.,College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji
| | - Samantha M Colquhoun
- Centre for International Child Health, Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Group A Streptococcal Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Andrew C Steer
- Centre for International Child Health, Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Group A Streptococcal Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,General Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Tong S, Pan J, Lu S, Tang J. Patient compliance with antimicrobial drugs: A Chinese survey. Am J Infect Control 2018; 46:e25-e29. [PMID: 29592834 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2018.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2017] [Revised: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antimicrobial therapy is among the mainstream treatment modalities employed in clinical settings. Antimicrobial sensitivity of the pathogen and patient compliance are key determinants of the efficacy of antimicrobial therapy. OBJECTIVE In this study, we sought to investigate the factors that affect patient compliance to antimicrobial therapy in a Chinese teaching hospital to enhance patient compliance and to prevent abuse and misuse of antibiotics by patients. METHODS A questionnaire survey was conducted among patients willing to answer all the questions who were prescribed antimicrobial drugs orally, and for whom at least half of the duration of therapy was not under the supervision of a doctor or nurse. Data analyses were performed using Kruskal-Wallis test and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS A total of 720 patients participated in the survey; of these, 714 patients provided complete data and were included in the analysis. Up to 86.97% of patients showed noncompliance to antimicrobial therapy (total compliance score < 8), whereas 13.03% of patients showed good compliance (total compliance score = 8). On multivariate analyses, understanding of the treatment was an important factor associated with compliance. CONCLUSIONS A range of factors were associated with compliance to antimicrobial therapy, including understanding of the treatment, gender, age, home address, education level, and family income.
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25
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Okello E, Longenecker CT, Scheel A, Aliku T, Rwebembera J, Mirembe G, Sable C, Lwabi P, Beaton A. Impact of regionalisation of a national rheumatic heart disease registry: the Ugandan experience. HEART ASIA 2018; 10:e010981. [PMID: 29422951 DOI: 10.1136/heartasia-2017-010981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Revised: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remains a major driver of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in low-resource settings. Registry-based care for RHD has been advocated as a powerful tool to improve clinical care and track quality metrics. Data collected through an RHD registry may also reveal epidemiological and geospatial trends, as well as insight into care utilisation. Uganda established a central RHD registry at the country's only tertiary cardiac centre in 2010. In 2014 RHD care and registry enrolment expanded to the Western region and in 2015 to the North. Here, we examine the geographical distribution of RHD cases in Uganda and the impact of registry expansion. Methods A retrospective search of the Ugandan national RHD registry was preformed to capture all cases of acute rheumatic fever or clinical RHD from January 2010 through July 2016. A geospatial analysis revealed that the density of detected cases (cases/100 000 district residents) reflected proximity to an RHD registry enrolment centre. Regionalisation improved the number of cases detected in the regions of expansion and improved retention of patients in care. Results and conclusions RHD appears to have uniform distribution throughout Uganda with geographical clustering surrounding RHD registry enrolment centres reflecting access to care, rather than differences in prevalence. Higher rates of case detection and improved retention in care with regionalisation highlight the urgent need for decentralisation of cardiovascular services. Future studies should examine sustainable models for cardiovascular care delivery, including task shifting of clinical care and echocardiography and use of telemedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmy Okello
- Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda.,School of Medicine, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Chris T Longenecker
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.,Division of Cardiology, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Amy Scheel
- Division of Cardiology, Children's National Health System, Washington DC, USA
| | - Twalib Aliku
- School of Medicine, Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda
| | - Joselyn Rwebembera
- Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda.,Mbarara University of Sciences and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | | | - Craig Sable
- Division of Cardiology, Children's National Health System, Washington DC, USA
| | | | - Andrea Beaton
- Division of Cardiology, Children's National Health System, Washington DC, USA
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26
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Mitchell AG, Belton S, Johnston V, Read C, Scrine C, Ralph AP. Aboriginal children and penicillin injections for rheumatic fever: how much of a problem is injection pain? Aust N Z J Public Health 2017; 42:46-51. [PMID: 29168304 DOI: 10.1111/1753-6405.12737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2017] [Revised: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore young Aboriginal people's and clinicians' experiences of injection pain for the 10 years of penicillin injections children are prescribed to prevent rheumatic fever recurrences. METHODS Aboriginal children on the penicillin regimen and clinicians were purposively recruited from four remote sites in Australia. Semi-structured interviews and participant observations were conducted. Views were synthesised and thematically analysed. RESULTS A total of 29 Aboriginal children and 59 clinicians were interviewed. Sixteen participants appeared to become accustomed to the injection pain, eight did not find pain an issue, and five found injection pain difficult. A further five believed the injections made them unwell. Patients expressed varying abilities to negotiate with clinicians about the use of pain reduction measures. Clinicians revealed good knowledge of pain reduction measures, but offered them inconsistently. All clinicians found administering the injections distressing. CONCLUSION Repeated painful procedures in children necessitate well-planned and child-focused care. Current practices are not in line with guidance from the Royal Australasian College of Physicians about effects of repeated painful procedures on children. Initiating the long-term injection regimen for rheumatic fever is a special event requiring expert input. A newly reported finding of a subset of young people feeling unwell after receiving the injection requires further investigation. Implications for public health: Improvement of local and jurisdictional guidelines on use of pain reduction measures for children who have been prescribed repeated painful injections for rheumatic fever is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice G Mitchell
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Northern Territory
| | - Suzanne Belton
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Northern Territory
| | - Vanessa Johnston
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Northern Territory
| | | | | | - Anna P Ralph
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Northern Territory.,Division of Medicine, Royal Darwin Hospital, Northern Territory
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Barker H, Oetzel JG, Scott N, Morley M, Carr PEA, Oetzel KB. Enablers and barriers to secondary prophylaxis for rheumatic fever among Māori aged 14-21 in New Zealand: a framework method study. Int J Equity Health 2017; 16:201. [PMID: 29149897 PMCID: PMC5693496 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-017-0700-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) rates have declined to near zero in nearly all developed countries. However, in New Zealand rates have not declined since the 1980s. Further, ARF diagnoses in New Zealand are inequitably distributed--occurring almost exclusively in Māori (the indigenous population) and Pacific children--with very low rates in the majority New Zealand European population. With ARF diagnosis, secondary prophylaxis is key to prevent recurrence. The purpose of this study was to identify the perceived enablers and barriers to secondary recurrence prophylaxis following ARF for Māori patients aged 14–21. Methods This study took a systems approach, was informed by patient voice and used a framework method to explore potential barriers and enablers to ongoing adherence with monthly antibiotic injections for secondary prophylaxis. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 19 Māori ARF patients receiving recurrence prophylaxis in the Waikato District Health Board region. Participants included those fully adherent to treatment, those with intermittent adherence or those who had been “lost to follow-up.” Results Barriers and enablers were presented around three factors: system (including access/resources), relational and individual. Access and resources included district nurses coming to patients as an enabler and lack of income and time off work as barriers. Relational characteristics included support from family and friends as enablers and district nurse communication as predominantly a positive although not enabling factor. Individual characteristics included understanding, personal responsibility and fear/pain of injections. Conclusion This detailed exploration of barriers and enablers for ongoing secondary prophylaxis provides important new information for the prevention of recurrent ARF. Among other considerations, a national register, innovative engagement with youth and their families and a comprehensive pain management programme are likely to improve adherence to ongoing secondary prophylaxis and reduce the burden of RHD for New Zealand individuals, families and health system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary Barker
- University of Auckland, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - John G Oetzel
- Waikato Management School, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand.
| | - Nina Scott
- Waikato District Health Board, Pembroke Street, Private Bag 3200, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
| | - Michelle Morley
- Waikato District Health Board, Pembroke Street, Private Bag 3200, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
| | - Polly E Atatoa Carr
- Waikato Management School, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand.,Waikato District Health Board, Pembroke Street, Private Bag 3200, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
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Moloi AH, Mall S, Engel ME, Stafford R, Zhu ZW, Zühlke LJ, Watkins DA. The Health Systems Barriers and Facilitators for RHD Prevalence: An Epidemiological Meta-Analysis From Uganda and Tanzania. Glob Heart 2017; 12:5-15.e3. [PMID: 28302546 DOI: 10.1016/j.gheart.2016.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Revised: 11/30/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is an important and preventable cause of cardiovascular disease. OBJECTIVES As part of a recent RHD initiative in Uganda and Tanzania, we systematically reviewed group A streptococcal disease (GAS), acute rheumatic fever (ARF), and RHD in these countries. METHODS Using a systematic review and meta-analysis/meta-synthesis, we searched PubMed, Embase, and grey literature for quantitative and qualitative studies conducted in Uganda and Tanzania that included individuals affected by GAS, ARF, and RHD. We pre-specified 3 sets of outcomes: 1) disease epidemiology; 2) barriers and facilitators to health care; and 3) stakeholder identification and engagement. Study descriptors, outcomes, and interest, and quality assessments were recorded. For the first objective, we conducted random-effects meta-analyses. For the second objective, we produced a narrative synthesis of themes. No studies contained data on the third objective. RESULTS Of 293 records identified, 12 met our inclusion criteria (9 for objective 1 and 3 for objective 2). Most quantitative studies were at moderate or high risk of bias, and only 1 of 2 qualitative studies was high quality. We estimated the prevalence of RHD to be 17.9 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.0 to 41.2) per 1,000 individuals. The most frequent nonfatal sequelae were heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and atrial fibrillation. Case-fatality rates in medical and surgical wards were 17% (95% CI: 13% to 21%) and 27% (95% CI: 18% to 36%), respectively. Barriers and facilitators to GAS and RHD care were identified in the domains of individual knowledge, family support, provider communication and knowledge, and system design. CONCLUSIONS RHD remains endemic in Tanzania and Uganda, and symptomatic RHD is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. We have identified critical data gaps in the areas of GAS and ARF epidemiology as well as health care utilization patterns and their determinants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annesinah H Moloi
- Department of Medicine, Groote Schuur Hospital and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sumaya Mall
- Centre for Evidence Based Health Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa; Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Mark E Engel
- Department of Medicine, Groote Schuur Hospital and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Zhang Wan Zhu
- Department of Adult Cardiology, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Liesl J Zühlke
- Department of Medicine, Groote Schuur Hospital and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Paediatrics, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - David A Watkins
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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29
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A Comprehensive Needs Assessment Tool for Planning RHD Control Programs
in Limited Resource Settings. Glob Heart 2017; 12:25-31. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gheart.2016.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Revised: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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30
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Engelman D, Mataika RL, Kado JH, Ah Kee M, Donath S, Parks T, Steer AC. Adherence to secondary antibiotic prophylaxis for patients with rheumatic heart disease diagnosed through screening in Fiji. Trop Med Int Health 2016; 21:1583-1591. [PMID: 27730711 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.12796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Echocardiographic screening for rheumatic heart disease (RHD) can detect subclinical cases; however, adequate adherence to secondary antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) is required to alter disease outcomes. We aimed to investigate the adherence to SAP among young people with RHD diagnosed through echocardiographic screening in Fiji and to investigate factors associated with adherence. METHODS Patients diagnosed with RHD through echocardiographic screening in Fiji from 2006 to 2014 were included. Dates of benzathine penicillin G injections were collected from 76 health clinics nationally from December 2011 to December 2014. Adherence was measured using the proportion of days covered (PDC). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify characteristics associated with any adherence (≥1 injection received) and adequate adherence (PDC ≥0.80). RESULTS Of 494 patients, 268 (54%) were female and the median age was 14 years. Overall, 203 (41%) had no injections recorded and just 33 (7%) had adequate adherence. Multivariate logistic regression showed increasing age (OR 0.93 per year, 95% CI 0.87-0.99) and time since diagnosis ≥1.5 years (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.37-0.79) to be inversely associated with any adherence. Non-iTaukei ethnicity (OR 2.58, 95%CI 1.04-6.33) and urban residence (OR 3.36, 95% CI 1.54-7.36) were associated with adequate adherence, whereas time since diagnosis ≥1.5 years (OR 0.38, 95%CI 0.17-0.83) was inversely associated with adequate adherence. CONCLUSIONS Adherence to SAP after screening in Fiji is currently inadequate for individual patient protection or population disease control. Secondary prevention should be strengthened before further screening can be justified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Engelman
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic, Australia.,Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, Vic, Australia.,Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Vic, Australia
| | - Reapi L Mataika
- Department of Paediatrics, Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Suva, Fiji
| | - Joseph H Kado
- Department of Paediatrics, Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Suva, Fiji.,College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji.,Fiji Rheumatic Heart Disease Control Program, Suva, Fiji
| | - Maureen Ah Kee
- Fiji Rheumatic Heart Disease Control Program, Suva, Fiji
| | - Susan Donath
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic, Australia.,Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, Vic, Australia
| | - Tom Parks
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Andrew C Steer
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic, Australia.,Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, Vic, Australia.,Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Vic, Australia
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Wyber R, Boyd BJ, Colquhoun S, Currie BJ, Engel M, Kado J, Karthikeyan G, Sullivan M, Saxena A, Sheel M, Steer A, Mucumbitsi J, Zühlke L, Carapetis J. Preliminary consultation on preferred product characteristics of benzathine penicillin G for secondary prophylaxis of rheumatic fever. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2016; 6:572-8. [DOI: 10.1007/s13346-016-0313-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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32
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Implementation research: an imperative for improving global health and health inequities. Glob Heart 2015; 10:1-2. [PMID: 25754560 DOI: 10.1016/j.gheart.2014.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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