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Doh CY, An C, Chang AY, Rwebembera J, Mwambu TP, Beaton AZ, Nakagaayi D, Ruda Vega PF, Sable CA, Longenecker CT, Lwabi P. Preintervention Wait Time and Survival in People With Rheumatic Heart Disease in Uganda. Ann Thorac Surg 2024; 118:941-948. [PMID: 38908768 DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2024.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is an unmet surgical burden among people living with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in Uganda. Nevertheless, risk factors associated with time to first intervention and preoperative mortality are poorly understood. METHODS Individuals with RHD who met indications for valve surgery were identified using the Uganda National RHD Registry (January 2010-August 2022). Kaplan-Meier estimates and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used. RESULTS Of the cohort with clinical RHD, 64% (1452 of 2269) met criteria for an index operation. Of those, 13.5% obtained a surgical intervention, whereas 30.6% died before the operation. The estimated likelihood of first operation was 50% at 9.3 years of follow-up (95% CI, 8.1-upper limit not reached). Intervention was more likely in men vs women (hazard ratio [HR], 1.78; 95% CI, 1.21-2.64), those with postsecondary education vs primary school or less (HR, 3.60; 95% CI, 1.88-6.89), and those with a history of atrial fibrillation (HR, 2.78; 95% CI, 1.63-4.76). Surgical intervention was less likely for adults vs those aged <18 years (HR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.32-0.77) and those with New York Heart Association Functional Class III/IV vs I/II (HR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.32-0.83). The median preoperative survival time among those awaiting first operation was 4.6 years (95% CI, 3.9-5.7 years). History of infective endocarditis, right ventricular dysfunction, pericardial effusion, atrial fibrillation, and having surgical indications for multiple valves were associated with increased probability of death. CONCLUSIONS Our analysis revealed a prolonged time to first surgical intervention and high preintervention death for RHD in Uganda, with factors such as age, sex, and education level remaining barriers to obtaining surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Yoon Doh
- School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Crystal An
- School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Andrew Y Chang
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University, Stanford, California; Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Center for Innovation in Global Health, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Joselyn Rwebembera
- Department of Cardiology, Uganda Heart Institute, Mulago Hospital Complex, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Tom P Mwambu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Uganda Heart Institute, Mulago Hospital Complex, Kampala, Uganda; School of Medicine, Makerere University, College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Andrea Z Beaton
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Doreen Nakagaayi
- Department of Cardiology, Uganda Heart Institute, Mulago Hospital Complex, Kampala, Uganda; Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Pablo F Ruda Vega
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute Department of Surgery, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Craig A Sable
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC; The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC
| | - Chris T Longenecker
- Department of Cardiology and Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
| | - Peter Lwabi
- Department of Cardiology, Uganda Heart Institute, Mulago Hospital Complex, Kampala, Uganda; School of Medicine, Makerere University, College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
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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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Bal HI, Türkyılmaz İ, Kayalı Ş, Kılıç A. Subtle myocardial effects of rheumatic heart disease in children are revealed earlier with two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography. Turk J Pediatr 2024; 66:346-353. [PMID: 39024598 DOI: 10.24953/turkjpediatr.2024.4566] [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] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is the most common cause of acquired heart disease in developing countries and remains a serious public health problem. In the subclinical course of carditis, the absence of typical symptoms and the normal range of classical echocardiographic measurements used to evaluate cardiac functions have required new echocardiographic methods and parameters. Previous studies regarding rheumatic heart disease in children and adults have shown that strain patterns obtained by speckle tracking echocardiography, are in fact affected although left ventricular systolic functions are preserved, yet some studies have suggested otherwise. The aim of our study is to compare the use of speckle tracking echocardiography with conventional methods in the evaluation of cardiac functions and myocardial involvement in children with subclinical RHD. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study group consisted of 24 patients with asymptomatic cardiovascular who had no history of acute rheumatic fever, but had definite or probable rheumatic valve disease. This study group was determined according to the World Heart Federation guidelines by an echocardiographic examination performed for different reasons, as well as the control group of 22 healthy children. In order to evaluate the left ventricular regional myocardial functions of the patients, tissue Doppler echocardiography (TDE) and speckle tracking echocardiographic parameters were compared with the control group. RESULTS The mean ages of the patient and control groups were 14.1±2.7 years and 13.9±2.3 years, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of conventional methods (p>0.05) but global longitudinal strain and strain rate values were found to be significantly lower in the patient group (p<0.01). These changes appeared to be relevant throughout the duration of the illness. CONCLUSION In patients with subclinical rheumatic heart disease, conventional echocardiographic evaluations are likely negative, whereas two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography reveal systolic and diastolic dysfunctions of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hüseyin Ilgın Bal
- Department of Pediatrics, Health Sciences University, Etlik City Hospital, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - İrem Türkyılmaz
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Health Sciences University, Gulhane Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Şeyma Kayalı
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Ankara Ataturk Sanatoryum Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Ayhan Kılıç
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Health Sciences University, Gulhane Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Türkiye
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Simpson MT, Kachel M, Neely RC, Erwin WC, Yasin A, Patel A, Rao DP, Pandey K, George I. Rheumatic Heart Disease in the Developing World. STRUCTURAL HEART : THE JOURNAL OF THE HEART TEAM 2023; 7:100219. [PMID: 38046860 PMCID: PMC10692356 DOI: 10.1016/j.shj.2023.100219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Despite recent public policy initiatives, rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remains a major source of morbidity worldwide. Rheumatic heart disease occurs as a sequela of Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcal [GAS]) infection in patients with genetic susceptibility. Strategies for prevention of RHD or progression of RHD include prevention of GAS infection with community initiatives, effective treatment of GAS infection, and secondary prophylaxis with intramuscular penicillin. The cardiac surgical community has attempted to improve the availability of surgery in RHD-endemic areas with some success, and operative techniques and outcomes of valve repair continue to improve, potentially offering patients a safer, more durable operation. Innovation offers hope for a more scalable solution with improved biomaterials and transcatheter delivery technology; however, cost remains a barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael T. Simpson
- Division of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mateusz Kachel
- Division of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - W. Clinton Erwin
- Division of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
| | - Aleena Yasin
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Amisha Patel
- Division of Cardiology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Dasari Prasada Rao
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Apollo Spectra Hospital, Hyderabad, India
| | - Kaushal Pandey
- Centre for Cardiac Care, Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai, India
| | - Isaac George
- Division of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
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Owusu IK, Acheamfour-Akowuah E, Wiafe YA. Clinical and Socio-Demographic Profiles of Patients Seen with Rheumatic Heart Disease in a Cardiac Clinic of a Tertiary Hospital in Ghana. RESEARCH REPORTS IN CLINICAL CARDIOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.2147/rrcc.s372472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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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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Martins JFBS, Nascimento ER, Nascimento BR, Sable CA, Beaton AZ, Ribeiro AL, Meira W, Pappa GL. Towards automatic diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease on echocardiographic exams through video-based deep learning. J Am Med Inform Assoc 2021; 28:1834-1842. [PMID: 34279636 DOI: 10.1093/jamia/ocab061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) affects an estimated 39 million people worldwide and is the most common acquired heart disease in children and young adults. Echocardiograms are the gold standard for diagnosis of RHD, but there is a shortage of skilled experts to allow widespread screenings for early detection and prevention of the disease progress. We propose an automated RHD diagnosis system that can help bridge this gap. MATERIALS AND METHODS Experiments were conducted on a dataset with 11 646 echocardiography videos from 912 exams, obtained during screenings in underdeveloped areas of Brazil and Uganda. We address the challenges of RHD identification with a 3D convolutional neural network (C3D), comparing its performance with a 2D convolutional neural network (VGG16) that is commonly used in the echocardiogram literature. We also propose a supervised aggregation technique to combine video predictions into a single exam diagnosis. RESULTS The proposed approach obtained an accuracy of 72.77% for exam diagnosis. The results for the C3D were significantly better than the ones obtained by the VGG16 network for videos, showing the importance of considering the temporal information during the diagnostic. The proposed aggregation model showed significantly better accuracy than the majority voting strategy and also appears to be capable of capturing underlying biases in the neural network output distribution, balancing them for a more correct diagnosis. CONCLUSION Automatic diagnosis of echo-detected RHD is feasible and, with further research, has the potential to reduce the workload of experts, enabling the implementation of more widespread screening programs worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Francisco B S Martins
- Department of Computer Science, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Erickson R Nascimento
- Department of Computer Science, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Bruno R Nascimento
- Department of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Craig A Sable
- Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Andrea Z Beaton
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, The Heart Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Antônio L Ribeiro
- Department of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Wagner Meira
- Department of Computer Science, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Gisele L Pappa
- Department of Computer Science, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Vogel B, Acevedo M, Appelman Y, Bairey Merz CN, Chieffo A, Figtree GA, Guerrero M, Kunadian V, Lam CSP, Maas AHEM, Mihailidou AS, Olszanecka A, Poole JE, Saldarriaga C, Saw J, Zühlke L, Mehran R. The Lancet women and cardiovascular disease Commission: reducing the global burden by 2030. Lancet 2021; 397:2385-2438. [PMID: 34010613 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(21)00684-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 540] [Impact Index Per Article: 180.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women. Decades of grassroots campaigns have helped to raise awareness about the impact of cardiovascular disease in women, and positive changes affecting women and their health have gained momentum. Despite these efforts, there has been stagnation in the overall reduction of cardiovascular disease burden for women in the past decade. Cardiovascular disease in women remains understudied, under-recognised, underdiagnosed, and undertreated. This Commission summarises existing evidence and identifies knowledge gaps in research, prevention, treatment, and access to care for women. Recommendations from an international team of experts and leaders in the field have been generated with a clear focus to reduce the global burden of cardiovascular disease in women by 2030. This Commission represents the first effort of its kind to connect stakeholders, to ignite global awareness of sex-related and gender-related disparities in cardiovascular disease, and to provide a springboard for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Vogel
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Monica Acevedo
- Divisón de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Yolande Appelman
- Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - C Noel Bairey Merz
- Barbra Streisand Women's Heart Center, Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alaide Chieffo
- Interventional Cardiology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Gemma A Figtree
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mayra Guerrero
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Vijay Kunadian
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; Cardiothoracic Centre, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundations Trust, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Carolyn S P Lam
- National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore; Cardiovascular Sciences Academic Clinical Programme, Duke-National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Angela H E M Maas
- Department of Women's Cardiac Health, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Anastasia S Mihailidou
- Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Cardiovascular and Hormonal Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Agnieszka Olszanecka
- 1st Department of Cardiology, Interventional Electrocardiology and Hypertension, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Jeanne E Poole
- Division of Cardiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Clara Saldarriaga
- Department of Cardiology and Heart Failure Clinic, Clinica CardioVID, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Jacqueline Saw
- Division of Cardiology, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Liesl Zühlke
- Departments of Paediatrics and Medicine, Divisions of Paediatric and Adult Cardiology, Red Cross Children's and Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Roxana Mehran
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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Stein E, Pulle J, Zimmerman M, Otim I, Atala J, Rwebembera J, Oyella LM, Harik N, Okello E, Sable C, Beaton A. Previous Traditional Medicine Use for Sore Throat among Children Evaluated for Rheumatic Fever in Northern Uganda. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 104:842-847. [PMID: 33319727 PMCID: PMC7941849 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Timely diagnosis of group A streptococcal (GAS) sore throat coupled with appropriate antibiotic treatment is necessary to prevent serious post-streptococcal complications, including rheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Traditional medicine (TM) is a known common adjunct to formal medical care in sub-Saharan Africa. A better understanding of health-seeking behavior for sore throat both within and outside the formal medical system is critical to improving primary prevention efforts of RF and RHD. A prospective mixed-methods study on the use of TM for sore throat was embedded within a larger epidemiological study of RF in Northern Uganda. Children presenting with symptoms of RF were interviewed about recent TM use as well as health services use for sore throat. One hundred children with a median age of 10 years (interquartile range: 6.8-13 years) completed the TM interview with their parent/guardian as part of a research study of RF. Seventeen, or 17%, accessed a TM provider for sore throat as part of the current illness, and 70% accessed TM for sore throat in the past (73% current or past use). Of the 20 parents who witnessed the TM visit, 100% reported use of crude tonsillectomy. Penicillin was the most frequently prescribed medication by TM providers in 52% of participants who were seen by a TM provider. The use of TM among children presenting with symptoms of sore throat in northern Uganda is common and frequently used in tandem with diagnostic services offered through the formal healthcare system. Engagement with TM practitioners may provide an important avenue for designing effective primary prevention and management strategies of RF and reduce the global burden of RHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Stein
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
- Children’s National Heart Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Jafesi Pulle
- Uganda Heart Institute, Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Isaac Otim
- Uganda Heart Institute, Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jenifer Atala
- Uganda Heart Institute, Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joselyn Rwebembera
- Uganda Heart Institute, Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Linda Mary Oyella
- Uganda Heart Institute, Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Nada Harik
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Emmy Okello
- Uganda Heart Institute, Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Craig Sable
- Children’s National Heart Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Andrea Beaton
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati Medical School, Cincinnati, Ohio
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Lumngwena EN, Skatulla S, Blackburn JM, Ntusi NAB. Mechanistic implications of altered protein expression in rheumatic heart disease. Heart Fail Rev 2020; 27:357-368. [PMID: 32653980 DOI: 10.1007/s10741-020-09993-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries, where living conditions promote spread of group A β-haemolytic streptococcus. Autoimmune reactions due to molecular mimicry of bacterial epitopes by host proteins cause acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and subsequent disease progression to RHD. Despite knowledge of the factors that predispose to ARF and RHD, determinants of the progression to valvular damage and the molecular events involved remain incompletely characterised. This review focuses on altered protein expression in heart valves, myocardial tissue and plasma of patients with RHD and pathogenic consequences on RHD. Proteins mainly involved in structural organization of the valve matrix, blood homeostasis and immune response were altered due to RHD pathogenesis. Study of secreted forms of these proteins may aid the development of non-invasive biomarkers for early diagnosis and monitoring outcomes in RHD. Valve replacement surgery, the single evidence-based strategy to improve outcomes in severe RHD, is costly, largely unavailable in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) and requires specialised facilities. When diagnosed early, penicillin prophylaxis may be used to delay progression to severe valvular damage. Echocardiography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance and the standard imaging tools recommended to confirm early diagnosis remain largely unavailable and inaccessible in most LMIC and both require expensive equipment and highly skilled persons for manipulation as well as interpretation of results. Changes in protein expression in heart valves and myocardium are associated with progressive valvular deformation in RHD. Understanding these protein changes should shed more light on the mechanisms of pathogenicity, while secreted forms of these proteins may provide leads towards a biomarker for non-invasive early detection of RHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn N Lumngwena
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences and Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
- Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
- Hatter instititute for Cardiovascualar research in Africa, Departmenent of Medicine, 4th floor Chris Barnard Building, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
- Centre for the Study of Emerging and Re-emerging Infections (CREMER), Institute for Medical Research and Medicinal Plant Studies (IMPM), Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation, Yaounde, Cameroon.
| | - Sebastian Skatulla
- Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jonathan M Blackburn
- Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ntobeko A B Ntusi
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences and Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Hatter instititute for Cardiovascualar research in Africa, Departmenent of Medicine, 4th floor Chris Barnard Building, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Cape Universities Body Imaging Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Meta-Analysis of the Incidence, Prevalence, and Correlates of Atrial Fibrillation in Rheumatic Heart Disease. Glob Heart 2020; 15:38. [PMID: 32923332 PMCID: PMC7427678 DOI: 10.5334/gh.807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: To estimate the incidence, prevalence, and correlates of atrial fibrillation (AF) in a global population with rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Methods: Bibliographic databases were searched to identify all published studies providing data on AF in patients with RHD. Random-effects meta-analysis method was used to pool estimates. Results: Eighty-three studies were included, reporting data from 75,637 participants with RHD in 42 countries. The global prevalence of AF in RHD was 32.8% (range: 4.3%–79.9%). It was higher in severe valvular disease (30.8% vs 20.7%, p = 0.009), in severe mitral valve disease compared to severe aortic disease (30.4% vs 6.3%, p = 0.038). The global cumulative incidence of AF in patients with RHD was 4.8%, 11.4%, 13.2%, and 30.8% at 1, 2, 5, and 10 years of follow-up, respectively. From comparison between patients with and without AF, AF was associated with increased age (mean difference [MD]: 9.5 years; 95% CI: 7.8–1.3), advanced heart failure (odds ratio [OR]: 4.4; 95% CI 2.1–9.3), tricuspid valve involvement (OR: 4.0; 95% CI: 3.0–5.3), history of thromboembolism (OR: 6.2; 95% CI: 3.4–11.4), highly sensitive C-reactive protein (MD: 5.5 mg/dL; 95% CI: 1.2–9.8), systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (MD: 3.6 mmHg; 95% CI: 0.8–6.3), right atrium pressure (MD: 1.5 mmHg; 95% CI: 1.0–2.0), and left atrium diameter (MD: 8.1 mm; 95% CI: 5.5–10.7). Conclusions: About one-third of patients with RHD have AF, with an incidence which almost triples every five years after diagnosis. Factors associated with AF include age, advanced heart failure, thromboembolism, and few cardiac hemodynamics parameters.
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Beaton A, Okello E, Engelman D, Grobler A, Scheel A, DeWyer A, Sarnacki R, Omara IO, Rwebembera J, Sable C, Steer A. Determining the impact of Benzathine penicillin G prophylaxis in children with latent rheumatic heart disease (GOAL trial): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Am Heart J 2019; 215:95-105. [PMID: 31301533 DOI: 10.1016/j.ahj.2019.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remains a high prevalence condition in low- and middle-income countries. Most individuals with RHD present late, missing the opportunity to benefit from secondary antibiotic prophylaxis. Echocardiographic screening can detect latent RHD, but the impact of secondary prophylaxis in screen-detected individuals is not known. METHODS/DESIGN This trial aims to determine if secondary prophylaxis with every-4-week injectable Benzathine penicillin G (BPG) improves outcomes for children diagnosed with latent RHD. This is a randomized controlled trial in consenting children, aged 5 to 17 years in Northern Uganda, confirmed to have borderline RHD or mild definite RHD on echocardiography, according to the 2012 World Heart Federation criteria. Qualifying children will be randomized to every-4-week injectable intramuscular BPG or no medical intervention and followed for a period of 2 years. Ongoing intervention adherence and retention in the trial will be supported through the establishment of peer support groups for participants in the intervention and control arms. A blinded echocardiography adjudication panel consisting of four independent experts will determine the echocardiographic classification at enrollment and trajectory through consensus review. The primary outcome is the proportion of children in the BPG-arm who demonstrate echocardiographic progression of latent RHD compared to those in the control arm. The secondary outcome is the proportion of children in the BPG-arm who demonstrate echocardiographic regression of latent RHD compared to those in the control arm. A sample size of 916 participants will provide 90% power to detect a 50% relative risk reduction assuming a 15% progression in the control group. The planned study duration is from 2018-2021. DISCUSSION Policy decisions on the role of echocardiographic screening for RHD have stalled because of the lack of evidence of the benefit of secondary prophylaxis. The results of our study will immediately inform the standard of care for children diagnosed with latent RHD and will shape, over 2-3 years, practical and scalable programs that could substantially decrease the burden of RHD in our lifetime. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03346525. Date Registered: November 17, 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Beaton
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, The Heart Institute, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH.
| | | | - Daniel Engelman
- Centre for International Child Health, Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anneke Grobler
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Amy Scheel
- Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Alyssa DeWyer
- Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | | | | | - Craig Sable
- Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Andrew Steer
- Centre for International Child Health, Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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14
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Jacobs MS, Van Hulst M, Adeoye AM, Tieleman RG, Postma MJ, Owolabi MO. Atrial Fibrillation in Africa—An Under-Reported and Unrecognized Risk
Factor for Stroke: A Systematic Review. Glob Heart 2019; 14:269-279. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gheart.2019.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
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15
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Beaton A, Okello E, Scheel A, DeWyer A, Ssembatya R, Baaka O, Namisanvu H, Njeri A, Matovu A, Namagembe I, Mccarter R, Carapetis J, Destigter K, Sable C. Impact of heart disease on maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes in a low-resource setting. Heart 2019; 105:755-760. [PMID: 30415203 PMCID: PMC11181686 DOI: 10.1136/heartjnl-2018-313810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2018] [Revised: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The burden of pre-existing cardiovascular disease and the contribution to adverse pregnancy outcomes are not robustly quantified, particularly in low-income countries. We aimed to determine both the prevalence of maternal heart disease through active case finding and its attributable risk to adverse pregnancy outcomes. METHODS We conducted a 24-month prospective longitudinal investigation in three Ugandan health centres, using echocardiography for active case finding during antenatal care. Women with and without heart disease were followed to 6 weeks post partum to determine pregnancy outcomes. Prevalence of heart disease was calculated. Per cent attributable risk estimates were generated for maternal, fetal and neonatal mortality. RESULTS Screening echocardiography was performed in 3506 women. The prevalence of heart disease was 17 per 1000 women (95% CI 13 to 21); 15 per 1000 was rheumatic heart disease. Only 3.4% of women (2/58) had prior diagnosis. Cardiovascular complications occurred in 51% of women with heart disease, most commonly heart failure. Per cent attributable risk of heart disease on maternal mortality was 88.6% in the exposed population and 10.8% in the overall population. Population attributable risk of heart disease on fetal death was 1.1% and 6.0% for neonatal mortality CONCLUSIONS: Occult maternal heart disease may be responsible for a substantial proportion of adverse pregnancy outcomes in low-resource settings. Rheumatic heart disease is, by far, the most common condition, urging global prioritisation of this neglected cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Beaton
- Children’s National Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Amy Scheel
- Children’s National Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Alyssa DeWyer
- Children’s National Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | | | | | | | - Angela Njeri
- Imaging the World Africa, Kampala, Uganda
- Mubende Regional Referral Hospital, Mubende, Uganda
| | | | - Imelda Namagembe
- Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
- Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Craig Sable
- Children’s National Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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16
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Zilla P, Yacoub M, Zühlke L, Beyersdorf F, Sliwa K, Khubulava G, Bouzid A, Mocumbi AO, Velayoudam D, Shetty D, Ofoegbu C, Geldenhuys A, Brink J, Scherman J, du Toit H, Hosseini S, Zhang H, Luo XJ, Wang W, Mejia J, Kofidis T, Higgins RS, Pomar J, Bolman RM, Mayosi BM, Madansein R, Bavaria J, Yanes-Quintana AA, Kumar AS, Adeoye O, Chauke RF, Williams DF. Global Unmet Needs in Cardiac Surgery. Glob Heart 2018; 13:293-303. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gheart.2018.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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17
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Rwebembera J, Manyilirah W, Zhu ZW, Nabbaale J, Namuyonga J, Ssinabulya I, Lubega S, Lwabi P, Omagino J, Okello E. Prevalence and characteristics of primary left-sided valve disease in a cohort of 15,000 patients undergoing echocardiography studies in a tertiary hospital in Uganda. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2018; 18:82. [PMID: 29728065 PMCID: PMC5935941 DOI: 10.1186/s12872-018-0813-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although rheumatic heart disease remains the leading cause of valve heart disease (VHD) in developing countries, other forms of valve disease have been over shadowed and not regarded as a public health problem. However, several facts suggest that the role of non-rheumatic VHD as a significant cardiovascular disease should be reconsidered. We aimed to assess the prevalence and characteristics of different forms of primary left sided valve diseases from a series of 15,009 echocardiographic studies. METHODS This was a retrospective review of echocardiographic reports for studies performed between January 2012 and December 2013 (24 months) at Uganda Heart Institute. All patients with primary left-sided valve disease were classified into one of five major diagnostic categories and in each diagnostic category; patients were sub-classified into stages A-D of primary valve disease as defined by the American College of Cardiology. RESULTS Three thousand five hundred eighty-two echocardiography reports qualified for final data analysis. The "sclerotic valve changes with normal valve function", a Stage A sub-class of "degenerative valve disease" overwhelmingly overshadowed all the other diagnostic categories in this stage. "Rheumatic Heart Disease", "Degenerative Valve Disease", "Bicuspid Aortic Valve", "Mitral Valve Prolapse" and "Endomyocardial Fibrosis" diagnostic categories accounted for 53.0%, 41.8%, 2.2%, 1.4% and 1.7% respectively in stages B-D of primary VHD. Rheumatic heart disease disproportionately affected the young, productive age groups. It was the major risk factor for infective endocarditis; and was the indication for valve surgery in 44 of 50 patients who had undergone valve replacement procedures. CONCLUSIONS We acknowledge that rheumatic heart disease remains a leading cause of progressive and severe primary left-sided valve disease among young adults in Uganda. But we bring to light the contemporary footprints of other forms of primary valve disease that require coordinated multidisciplinary approach to research, education and clinical management to ensure improved patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Judith Namuyonga
- Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
- School of Medicine Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Isaac Ssinabulya
- Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
- School of Medicine Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Peter Lwabi
- Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
- School of Medicine Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Emmy Okello
- Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
- School of Medicine Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
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18
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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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Bigna JJ, Noubiap JJ, Nansseu JR, Aminde LN. Prevalence and etiologies of pulmonary hypertension in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Pulm Med 2017; 17:183. [PMID: 29221480 PMCID: PMC5723068 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-017-0549-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the recent increasing worldwide attention towards pulmonary hypertension (PH), its epidemiology remains poorly described in Africa. Accordingly, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of PH prevalence, incidence and etiologies in Africa. METHODS We searched PubMed, EMBASE, African Journals Online, and Africa Index Medicus. Published observational studies until September 20, 2017, including adult participants residing in Africa were considered. Two review authors independently selected studies, assessed included studies for methodological quality, and extracted data. A random-effects model was used for meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was evaluated by the χ 2 test on Cochrane's Q statistic which is quantified by I2 values. Using Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, we considered a score of 0-4, 5-7, and 8-10 as indicative of high, moderate, and low risk of bias in included studies, respectively. RESULTS Of 1611 entries, 25 studies were retained. Twelve (48%), seven (28%), and six (24%) papers had respectively a low, moderate and high risk of bias. The prevalence of PH widely varied across different populations: 9.8% (95% confidence interval: 3.2-19.3; I2 = 99.4%; 6 studies) in 11,163 people presenting with cardiac complaints; 10.6% (4.3-19.1; I2 = 90.3%; 4 studies) in 937 HIV-infected people; 32.9% (17.6-50.4; I2 = 97.2%; 3 studies) in 2077 patients with heart failure; 23.2% (15.2-32.2; I2 = 59.4%; 3 studies) in 248 patients on hemodialysis; 12.9% (11.8-14.0; I2 = 79.7%; 2 studies) in 3750 patients with rheumatic heart disease; 36.9% (29.7-44.3; I2 = 79.7; 2 studies) in 79 patients with sickle cell disease; 62.7% (49.0-74.7; 1 study) in 51 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; 25.4% (16.3-37.3; 1 study) in 63 patients with systemic lupus erythematous; 68.7% (62.8-74.1; 1 study) in 259 patients with cardiac surgery; and 7.4% (4.6-11.9; 1 study) in 202 patients with systemic sclerosis. No study reported PH incidence. From one international study (n = 209), PH etiologies were: left heart disease (68.9%), pulmonary arterial hypertension (15.8%), lung disease and/or hypoxia (12.0%), chronic thromboembolic PH (1.9%) and unclear/multifactorial PH (15.8%). CONCLUSION The prevalence of PH is relatively high in some populations in Africa, perhaps mainly driven by left heart diseases, highlighting the need for context-specific interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Joel Bigna
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Centre Pasteur of Cameroon, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Paris Sud XI, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | - Jean Jacques Noubiap
- Department of Medicine, Groote Schuur Hospital and University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jobert Richie Nansseu
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Sickle Cell Disease Unit, Mother and Child Centre of the Chantal Biya Foundation, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Department of Disease, Epidemics and Pandemics Control, Ministry of Public Health, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Leopold Ndemnge Aminde
- Clinical Research Education, Networking and Consultancy (CRENC), Douala, Cameroon
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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20
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Beaton A, Aliku T, Dewyer A, Jacobs M, Jiang J, Longenecker CT, Lubega S, McCarter R, Mirabel M, Mirembe G, Namuyonga J, Okello E, Scheel A, Tenywa E, Sable C, Lwabi P. Latent Rheumatic Heart Disease: Identifying the Children at Highest Risk of Unfavorable Outcome. Circulation 2017; 136:2233-2244. [PMID: 28972003 PMCID: PMC5716883 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.117.029936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Screening echocardiography has emerged as a potentially powerful tool for early diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease (RHD). The utility of screening echocardiography hinges on the rate of RHD progression and the ability of penicillin prophylaxis to improve outcome. We report the longitudinal outcomes of a cohort of children with latent RHD and identify risk factors for unfavorable outcomes. METHODS This was a prospective natural history study conducted under the Ugandan RHD registry. Children with latent RHD and ≥1 year of follow-up were included. All echocardiograms were re-reviewed by experts (2012 World Heart Federation criteria) for inclusion and evidence of change. Bi- and multivariable logistic regression, Kaplan-Meier analysis, and Cox proportional hazards models, as well, were developed to search for risk factors for unfavorable outcome and compare progression-free survival between those treated and not treated with penicillin. Propensity and other matching methods with sensitivity analysis were implemented for the evaluation of the penicillin effect. RESULTS Blinded review confirmed 227 cases of latent RHD: 164 borderline and 63 definite (42 mild, 21 moderate/severe). Median age at diagnosis was 12 years and median follow-up was 2.3 years (interquartile range, 2.0-2.9). Penicillin prophylaxis was prescribed in 49.3% with overall adherence of 84.7%. Of children with moderate-to-severe definite RHD, 47.6% had echocardiographic progression (including 2 deaths), and 9.5% had echocardiographic regression. Children with mild definite and borderline RHD showed 26% and 9.8% echocardiographic progression and 45.2% and 46.3% echocardiographic improvement, respectively. Of those with mild definite RHD or borderline RHD, more advanced disease category, younger age, and morphological mitral valve features were risk factors for an unfavorable outcome. CONCLUSIONS Latent RHD is a heterogeneous diagnosis with variable disease outcomes. Children with moderate to severe latent RHD have poor outcomes. Children with both borderline and mild definite RHD are at substantial risk of progression. Although long-term outcome remains unclear, the initial change in latent RHD may be evident during the first 1 to 2 years following diagnosis. Natural history data are inherently limited, and a randomized clinical trial is needed to definitively determine the impact of penicillin prophylaxis on the trajectory of latent RHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Beaton
- Children's National Health System, Washington DC (A.B., A.D., M.J., J.J., R.M., A.S., C.S.). Gulu University, Uganda (T.A.). Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (C.T.L.). Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala (S.L., J.N., E.O., E.T., P.L.). INSERM U970 (French National Institute of Health and Medical Research), Paris-Cardiovascular Research Center PARCC, France (M.M.). Joint Clinical Research Centers, Kampala, Uganda (G.M.).
| | - Twalib Aliku
- Children's National Health System, Washington DC (A.B., A.D., M.J., J.J., R.M., A.S., C.S.). Gulu University, Uganda (T.A.). Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (C.T.L.). Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala (S.L., J.N., E.O., E.T., P.L.). INSERM U970 (French National Institute of Health and Medical Research), Paris-Cardiovascular Research Center PARCC, France (M.M.). Joint Clinical Research Centers, Kampala, Uganda (G.M.)
| | - Alyssa Dewyer
- Children's National Health System, Washington DC (A.B., A.D., M.J., J.J., R.M., A.S., C.S.). Gulu University, Uganda (T.A.). Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (C.T.L.). Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala (S.L., J.N., E.O., E.T., P.L.). INSERM U970 (French National Institute of Health and Medical Research), Paris-Cardiovascular Research Center PARCC, France (M.M.). Joint Clinical Research Centers, Kampala, Uganda (G.M.)
| | - Marni Jacobs
- Children's National Health System, Washington DC (A.B., A.D., M.J., J.J., R.M., A.S., C.S.). Gulu University, Uganda (T.A.). Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (C.T.L.). Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala (S.L., J.N., E.O., E.T., P.L.). INSERM U970 (French National Institute of Health and Medical Research), Paris-Cardiovascular Research Center PARCC, France (M.M.). Joint Clinical Research Centers, Kampala, Uganda (G.M.)
| | - Jiji Jiang
- Children's National Health System, Washington DC (A.B., A.D., M.J., J.J., R.M., A.S., C.S.). Gulu University, Uganda (T.A.). Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (C.T.L.). Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala (S.L., J.N., E.O., E.T., P.L.). INSERM U970 (French National Institute of Health and Medical Research), Paris-Cardiovascular Research Center PARCC, France (M.M.). Joint Clinical Research Centers, Kampala, Uganda (G.M.)
| | - Chris T Longenecker
- Children's National Health System, Washington DC (A.B., A.D., M.J., J.J., R.M., A.S., C.S.). Gulu University, Uganda (T.A.). Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (C.T.L.). Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala (S.L., J.N., E.O., E.T., P.L.). INSERM U970 (French National Institute of Health and Medical Research), Paris-Cardiovascular Research Center PARCC, France (M.M.). Joint Clinical Research Centers, Kampala, Uganda (G.M.)
| | - Sulaiman Lubega
- Children's National Health System, Washington DC (A.B., A.D., M.J., J.J., R.M., A.S., C.S.). Gulu University, Uganda (T.A.). Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (C.T.L.). Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala (S.L., J.N., E.O., E.T., P.L.). INSERM U970 (French National Institute of Health and Medical Research), Paris-Cardiovascular Research Center PARCC, France (M.M.). Joint Clinical Research Centers, Kampala, Uganda (G.M.)
| | - Robert McCarter
- Children's National Health System, Washington DC (A.B., A.D., M.J., J.J., R.M., A.S., C.S.). Gulu University, Uganda (T.A.). Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (C.T.L.). Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala (S.L., J.N., E.O., E.T., P.L.). INSERM U970 (French National Institute of Health and Medical Research), Paris-Cardiovascular Research Center PARCC, France (M.M.). Joint Clinical Research Centers, Kampala, Uganda (G.M.)
| | - Mariana Mirabel
- Children's National Health System, Washington DC (A.B., A.D., M.J., J.J., R.M., A.S., C.S.). Gulu University, Uganda (T.A.). Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (C.T.L.). Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala (S.L., J.N., E.O., E.T., P.L.). INSERM U970 (French National Institute of Health and Medical Research), Paris-Cardiovascular Research Center PARCC, France (M.M.). Joint Clinical Research Centers, Kampala, Uganda (G.M.)
| | - Grace Mirembe
- Children's National Health System, Washington DC (A.B., A.D., M.J., J.J., R.M., A.S., C.S.). Gulu University, Uganda (T.A.). Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (C.T.L.). Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala (S.L., J.N., E.O., E.T., P.L.). INSERM U970 (French National Institute of Health and Medical Research), Paris-Cardiovascular Research Center PARCC, France (M.M.). Joint Clinical Research Centers, Kampala, Uganda (G.M.)
| | - Judith Namuyonga
- Children's National Health System, Washington DC (A.B., A.D., M.J., J.J., R.M., A.S., C.S.). Gulu University, Uganda (T.A.). Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (C.T.L.). Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala (S.L., J.N., E.O., E.T., P.L.). INSERM U970 (French National Institute of Health and Medical Research), Paris-Cardiovascular Research Center PARCC, France (M.M.). Joint Clinical Research Centers, Kampala, Uganda (G.M.)
| | - Emmy Okello
- Children's National Health System, Washington DC (A.B., A.D., M.J., J.J., R.M., A.S., C.S.). Gulu University, Uganda (T.A.). Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (C.T.L.). Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala (S.L., J.N., E.O., E.T., P.L.). INSERM U970 (French National Institute of Health and Medical Research), Paris-Cardiovascular Research Center PARCC, France (M.M.). Joint Clinical Research Centers, Kampala, Uganda (G.M.)
| | - Amy Scheel
- Children's National Health System, Washington DC (A.B., A.D., M.J., J.J., R.M., A.S., C.S.). Gulu University, Uganda (T.A.). Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (C.T.L.). Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala (S.L., J.N., E.O., E.T., P.L.). INSERM U970 (French National Institute of Health and Medical Research), Paris-Cardiovascular Research Center PARCC, France (M.M.). Joint Clinical Research Centers, Kampala, Uganda (G.M.)
| | - Emmanuel Tenywa
- Children's National Health System, Washington DC (A.B., A.D., M.J., J.J., R.M., A.S., C.S.). Gulu University, Uganda (T.A.). Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (C.T.L.). Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala (S.L., J.N., E.O., E.T., P.L.). INSERM U970 (French National Institute of Health and Medical Research), Paris-Cardiovascular Research Center PARCC, France (M.M.). Joint Clinical Research Centers, Kampala, Uganda (G.M.)
| | - Craig Sable
- Children's National Health System, Washington DC (A.B., A.D., M.J., J.J., R.M., A.S., C.S.). Gulu University, Uganda (T.A.). Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (C.T.L.). Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala (S.L., J.N., E.O., E.T., P.L.). INSERM U970 (French National Institute of Health and Medical Research), Paris-Cardiovascular Research Center PARCC, France (M.M.). Joint Clinical Research Centers, Kampala, Uganda (G.M.)
| | - Peter Lwabi
- Children's National Health System, Washington DC (A.B., A.D., M.J., J.J., R.M., A.S., C.S.). Gulu University, Uganda (T.A.). Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (C.T.L.). Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala (S.L., J.N., E.O., E.T., P.L.). INSERM U970 (French National Institute of Health and Medical Research), Paris-Cardiovascular Research Center PARCC, France (M.M.). Joint Clinical Research Centers, Kampala, Uganda (G.M.)
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Kibirige D, Atuhe D, Kampiire L, Kiggundu DS, Donggo P, Nabbaale J, Mwebaze RM, Kalyesubula R, Lumu W. Access to medicines and diagnostic tests integral in the management of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases in Uganda: insights from the ACCODAD study. Int J Equity Health 2017; 16:154. [PMID: 28836972 PMCID: PMC5571570 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-017-0651-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the burgeoning burden of diabetes mellitus (DM) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in low and middle income countries (LMIC), access to affordable essential medicines and diagnostic tests for DM and CVD still remain a challenge in clinical practice. The Access to Cardiovascular diseases, Chronic Obstructive pulmonary disease, Diabetes mellitus and Asthma Drugs and diagnostics (ACCODAD) study aimed at providing contemporary information about the availability, cost and affordability of medicines and diagnostic tests integral in the management of DM and CVD in Uganda. METHODS The study assessed the availability, cost and affordability of 37 medicines and 19 diagnostic tests in 22 public hospitals, 23 private hospitals and 100 private pharmacies in Uganda. Availability expressed as a percentage, median cost of the available lowest priced generic medicine and the diagnostic tests and affordability in terms of the number of days' wages it would cost the least paid public servant to pay for one month of treatment and the diagnostic tests were calculated. RESULTS The availability of the medicines and diagnostic tests in all the study sites ranged from 20.1% for unfractionated heparin (UFH) to 100% for oral hypoglycaemic agents (OHA) and from 6.8% for microalbuminuria to 100% for urinalysis respectively. The only affordable tests were blood glucose, urinalysis and serum ketone, urea, creatinine and uric acid. Parenteral benzathine penicillin, oral furosemide, glibenclamide, bendrofluazide, atenolol, cardiac aspirin, digoxin, metformin, captopril and nifedipine were the only affordable drugs. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that the majority of medicines and diagnostic tests essential in the management of DM and CVD are generally unavailable and unaffordable in Uganda. National strategies promoting improved access to affordable medicines and diagnostic tests and primary prevention measures of DM and CVD should be prioritised in Uganda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davis Kibirige
- Department of Medicine, Uganda Martyrs Hospital Lubaga, P.O.BOX 7146 Kampala, Uganda
| | - David Atuhe
- Department of Medicine, Case Hospital Kampala, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | | | - Pamela Donggo
- Department of Medicine, Lira Regional Referral Hospital, Lira, Uganda
| | - Juliet Nabbaale
- Division of Adult Cardiology, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Robert Kalyesubula
- Departments of Physiology and Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - William Lumu
- Department of Medicine, Mengo Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
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Zühlke L, Acquah L. Pre-conception counselling for key cardiovascular conditions in Africa: optimising pregnancy outcomes. Cardiovasc J Afr 2017; 27:79-83. [PMID: 27213854 PMCID: PMC4928169 DOI: 10.5830/cvja-2016-017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Accepted: 03/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organisation (WHO) supports pre-conception care (PCC) towards improving health and pregnancy outcomes. PPC entails a continuum of promotive, preventative and curative health and social interventions. PPC identifies current and potential medical problems of women of childbearing age towards strategising optimal pregnancy outcomes, whereas antenatal care constitutes the care provided during pregnancy. Optimised PPC and antenatal care would improve civil society and maternal, child and public health. Multiple factors bar most African women from receiving antenatal care. Additionally, PPC is rarely available as a standard of care in many African settings, despite the high maternal mortality rate throughout Africa. African women and healthcare facilitators must cooperate to strategise cost-effective and cost-efficient PPC. This should streamline their limited resources within their socio-cultural preferences, towards short- and long-term improvement of pregnancy outcomes. This review discusses the relevance of and need for PPC in resource-challenged African settings, and emphasises preventative and curative health interventions for congenital and acquired heart disease. We also consider two additional conditions, HIV/AIDS and hypertension, as these are two of the most important co-morbidities encountered in Africa, with significant burden of disease. Finally we advocate strongly for PPC to be considered as a key intervention for reducing maternal mortality rates on the African continent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liesl Zühlke
- Departments of Paediatric Cardiology and Medicine, Red Cross War Memorial Children's and Groote Schuur Hospitals, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Letitia Acquah
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hospital Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Mary's Campus, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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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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Abstract
Primarily affecting the young, rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a neglected chronic disease commonly causing premature morbidity and mortality among the global poor. Standard clinical prevention and treatment is based on studies from the early antimicrobial era, as research investment halted soon after the virtual eradication of the disease from developed countries. The emergence of new global data on disease burden, new technologies, and a global health equity platform have revitalized interest and investment in RHD. This review surveys past and current evidence for standard RHD diagnosis and treatment, highlighting gaps in knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanti Nulu
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, 789 Howard Avenue, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
| | - Gene Bukhman
- Division of Global Health Equity, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 641 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, 641 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Gene F Kwan
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, 641 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Boston University Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 88 East Newton Street, D8, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
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Child and teacher acceptability of school-based echocardiographic screening for rheumatic heart disease in Uganda. Cardiol Young 2017; 27:82-89. [PMID: 26983378 DOI: 10.1017/s1047951116000159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Introduction Rheumatic heart disease causes substantial morbidity in children in low-income countries. School-based echocardiographic screening has been suggested as a means to identify children with latent disease; however, little is known about the experience of children and teachers participating in screenings. The aim of our study was to assess students' and teachers' experience of school-based echocardiographic screening and identify areas for improvement. Materials and methods A school-based echocardiographic screening programme was conducted in five schools in Northern Uganda in 2013. After 8 months, an age- and gender-stratified population that included 5% of the participating students and teachers completed a questionnaire via an in-person interview. Responses were reviewed by question and coded to identify key themes. RESULTS A total of 255 students (mean 10.7 years; 48% male) and 35 teachers participated in our study. In total, 95% of the students and 100% of the teachers were happy to have participated in the screening; however, students reported feeling scared (35%) and nervous (48%) during the screening process. Programmatic strengths included the following: knowing one's health status, opportunity to receive treatment, and staff interactions. Although 43% of the patients did not suggest a change with open-ended questioning, concerns regarding privacy, fear of the screening process, and a desire to include others in the community were noted. Discussion School-based echocardiographic rheumatic heart disease screening was well received by students and teachers. Future programmes would likely benefit from improved pre-screening education regarding the screening process and diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease. Furthermore, education of teachers and students could improve screening perception and establish realistic expectations regarding the scope of screening.
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Bradley-Hewitt T, Dantin A, Ploutz M, Aliku T, Lwabi P, Sable C, Beaton A. The Impact of Echocardiographic Screening for Rheumatic Heart Disease on Patient Quality of Life. J Pediatr 2016; 175:123-9. [PMID: 27268786 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2016.04.087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2015] [Revised: 03/29/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the impact of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) on child-reported health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in the context of a Ugandan school-based echocardiographic screening program. Echocardiography-based screening has emerged as a tool for the early detection of RHD, but little is known about its impact on those screened. STUDY DESIGN Participants included 358 children from Gulu and 28 children from Kampala Uganda. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Version 4.0 was used to assess HRQOL in 4 groups of children: Gulu prescreen, Gulu postscreen, Gulu previously linked to care, and Kampala previously linked to care. Children in the pre- and postscreen groups were selected from a single school before and after screening occurred and matched by age and sex. Children previously linked to care were recruited from previous screening studies. RESULTS When the echocardiogram was normal, there was no difference in HRQOL in the prescreen and postscreen groups. In the postscreen group, identification of latent RHD resulted in lower physical (75.3 vs 68.3, P = .03) and emotional (71.7 vs 63.4, P < .01) HRQOL, despite a lack of symptoms. The Kampala group had longer linkage to care (42 months vs 6 months, P < .01) and demonstrated greater HRQOL scores compared with the Gulu-linked group (70.7 vs 77.8, P < .01) and the combined Gulu cohort (77.8 vs 69.4, P = .02). CONCLUSIONS Echocardiography-based screening for RHD does not diminish HRQOL in Ugandan children; rather, a diminished HRQOL score may be associated with being identified as RHD positive. Further investigation is needed to understand if longer linkage to care may ultimately normalize or improve HRQOL.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Michelle Ploutz
- Department of Cardiology, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC
| | - Twalib Aliku
- Department of Cardiology, Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, Gulu, Uganda
| | - Peter Lwabi
- Department of Cardiology, The Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Craig Sable
- Department of Cardiology, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC
| | - Andrea Beaton
- Department of Cardiology, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC
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Brief Report: Prevalence of Latent Rheumatic Heart Disease Among HIV-Infected Children in Kampala, Uganda. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2016; 71:196-9. [PMID: 26413847 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000000827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remains highly prevalent in resource-constrained settings around the world, including countries with high rates of HIV/AIDS. Although both are immune-mediated diseases, it is unknown whether HIV modifies the risk or progression of RHD. We performed screening echocardiography to determine the prevalence of latent RHD in 488 HIV-infected children aged 5-18 in Kampala, Uganda. The overall prevalence of borderline/definite RHD was 0.82% (95% confidence interval: 0.26% to 2.23%), which is lower than the published prevalence rates of 1.5%-4% among Ugandan children. There may be protective factors that decrease the risk of RHD in HIV-infected children.
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Aliku T, Sable C, Scheel A, Tompsett A, Lwabi P, Okello E, McCarter R, Summar M, Beaton A. Targeted Echocardiographic Screening for Latent Rheumatic Heart Disease in Northern Uganda: Evaluating Familial Risk Following Identification of an Index Case. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0004727. [PMID: 27294545 PMCID: PMC4905680 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Echocardiographic screening for detection of latent RHD has shown potential as a strategy to decrease the burden of disease. However, further research is needed to determine optimal implementation strategies. RHD results from a complex interplay between environment and host susceptibility. Family members share both and relatives of children with latent RHD may represent a high-risk group. The objective of this study was to use echocardiographic family screening to determine the relative risk of RHD among first-degree relatives of children with latent RHD compared to the risk in first-degree relatives of healthy peers. Methodology/Principal Findings Previous school-based screening data were used to identify RHD positive children and RHD negative peers. All first-degree relatives ≥ 5 years were invited for echocardiography screening (2012 World Heart Federation Criteria). Sixty RHD positive cases (30 borderline/30 definite RHD) and 67 RHD negative cases were recruited. A total of 455/667 (68%) family members were screened. Definite RHD was more common in childhood siblings of RHD positive compared to RHD negative (p = 0.05). Children with any RHD were 4.5 times as likely to have a sibling with definite RHD, a risk that increased to 5.6 times when considering only cases with definite RHD. Mothers of RHD positive and RHD negative cases had an unexpectedly high rate of latent RHD (9.3%). Conclusions/Significance Siblings of RHD positive cases with RHD are more likely to have definite RHD and the relative risk is highest if the index case has definite RHD. Future screening programs should consider implementation of sibling screening following detection of an RHD positive child. Larger screening studies of adults are needed, as data on prevalence of latent RHD outside of childhood are sparse. Future studies should prioritize implementation research to answer questions of how RHD screening can best be integrated into existing healthcare structures, ensuring practical and sustainable screening programs. Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) affects at least 33 million people, most of who live in low-resource environments. RHD is a cumulative process and there exists a latent period between early valve damage and presentation with symptoms. Echocardiographic screening (ultrasound of the heart) has proven highly sensitive for latent RHD detection, but implementation research is needed to effectively develop sustainable public health strategies. Critical to this research is determining whom to screen. As family members have both a shared environment and shared genetic susceptibility, they may represent a high-risk group that could be targeted once a case of RHD is identified. We conducted an echocardiographic family screening study to determine the risk of RHD in families with and without an RHD positive child and found that siblings of children with latent RHD are more likely to have latent RHD themselves. Our data suggest that siblings may represent a particularly high-risk group that could be targeted for echocardiographic screening. Future studies are needed to answer questions of how RHD screening can best be integrated into existing healthcare structures, ensuring practical and sustainable RHD screening programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Twalib Aliku
- School of Medicine, Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda
| | - Craig Sable
- Division of Cardiology, Children’s National Health System, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | - Amy Scheel
- Division of Cardiology, Children’s National Health System, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | - Alison Tompsett
- Division of Cardiology, Children’s National Health System, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | | | - Emmy Okello
- Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
- School of Medicine, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Robert McCarter
- Division of Biostatistics and Informatics, Children’s National Health System, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | - Marshall Summar
- Division of Genetics and Metabolism, Children’s National Health System, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | - Andrea Beaton
- Division of Cardiology, Children’s National Health System, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Hoeper MM, Humbert M, Souza R, Idrees M, Kawut SM, Sliwa-Hahnle K, Jing ZC, Gibbs JSR. A global view of pulmonary hypertension. THE LANCET RESPIRATORY MEDICINE 2016; 4:306-22. [DOI: 10.1016/s2213-2600(15)00543-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 242] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2015] [Revised: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 12/17/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Nascimento BR, Nunes MCP, Lopes ELV, Rezende VMLR, Landay T, Ribeiro ALP, Sable C, Beaton AZ. Rheumatic heart disease echocardiographic screening: approaching practical and affordable solutions. Heart 2016; 102:658-64. [PMID: 26891757 DOI: 10.1136/heartjnl-2015-308635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) affects at least 32.9 million people worldwide and ranks as a leading cause of death and disability in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Echocardiographic screening has been demonstrated to be a powerful tool for early RHD detection, and holds potential for global RHD control. However, national screening programmes have not emerged. Major barriers to implementation include the lack of human and financial resources in LMICs. Here, we focus on recent research advances that could make echocardiographic screening more practical and affordable, including handheld echocardiography devices, simplified screening protocols and task shifting of echocardiographic screening to non-experts. Additionally, we highlight some important remaining questions before echocardiographic screening can be widely recommended, including demonstration of cost-effectiveness, assessment of the impact of screening on children and communities, and determining the importance of latent RHD. While a single strategy for echocardiographic screening in all high-prevalence areas is unlikely, we believe recent advancements are bringing the public health community closer to developing sustainable programmes for echocardiographic screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno R Nascimento
- Division of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery, Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil Serviço de Hemodinâmica, Hospital das Clínicas, Belo Horizonte, Brazil Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Maria Carmo P Nunes
- Division of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery, Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Eduardo L V Lopes
- Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Vitória M L R Rezende
- Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Antonio L P Ribeiro
- Division of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery, Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Craig Sable
- Children's National Health System, Washington DC, USA
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Zhang W, Okello E, Nyakoojo W, Lwabi P, Mondo CK. Proportion of patients in the Uganda rheumatic heart disease registry with advanced disease requiring urgent surgical interventions. Afr Health Sci 2015; 15:1182-8. [PMID: 26958019 DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v15i4.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Since the establishment of the Uganda Rheumatic Heart Registry, over 900 patients have been enrolled. We sought to stratify the patients in the registry according to disease severity and optimal management strategy. METHODS We reviewed data of 618 patients who had enrolled in the Registry between March 2010 and February 2013. The 67 patients who had died were excluded leaving 551 patients who were recruited. The optimum management strategy was determined according to the 2012 European Society of Cardiology guidelines on the management of valvular heart disease. RESULTS Out of the 551 patient's records evaluated, 398 (72.3%) required invasive intervention, with 332(60.3%) patients requiring surgery and 66 (12.0%) requiring percutaneous mitral commissurotomy (PMC). This leaves only 27.7% of patients who required only medical management. Currently, majority of the patients (498, 90.4%) in the registry are on medical treatment. Of the 60.3% requiring surgical intervention, only 8.0% (44 patients) underwent valvular surgery and 5(1.0%) patients of the 66 (12.0%) underwent PMC successfully. CONCLUSION There is a high proportion of patients with severe disease that require surgical treatment yet they cannot access this therapy due to absence of local expertise.
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Beaton A, Carapetis J. The 2015 revision of the Jones criteria for the diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever: implications for practice in low-income and middle-income countries. HEART ASIA 2015; 7:7-11. [PMID: 27326214 DOI: 10.1136/heartasia-2015-010648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The Jones criteria has longed served as the primary guideline for diagnosing acute rheumatic fever (ARF). However, since the first iteration in 1944, the global epidemiology of ARF and our knowledge regarding the variability of its presentation have changed. In 2015, the American Heart Association took on an ambitious and successful revision, which accounts for these changes. For the first time, the criteria consider the risk within a population and offer two separate diagnostic pathways that prioritise specificity among those at low risk and sensitivity among those at moderate/high risk. Echocardiography is now recommended in all patients with suspected or confirmed ARF, and subclinical carditis can fulfil a major criterion for ARF in all populations. Finally, new and specific criteria are provided for the diagnosis of ARF recurrences. These changes improve the diagnosis of ARF among moderate/high-risk populations and re-establish the Jones criteria as the international gold standard for ARF diagnosis. It is our hope that they will also serve as a catalyst in the global community to increase advocacy, improve case detection, and invest in new research techniques that could ultimately control global ARF in our lifetimes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Beaton
- Children's National Health System, Cardiology , Washington DC , USA
| | - Jonathan Carapetis
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, and Princess Margaret Hospital for Children , Subiaco, Western Australia , Australia
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Rémond MGW, Maguire GP. Echocardiographic screening for rheumatic heart disease-some answers, but questions remain. Transl Pediatr 2015; 4:206-9. [PMID: 26835376 PMCID: PMC4729054 DOI: 10.3978/j.issn.2224-4336.2015.05.02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite being preventable, rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remains a significant global cause of cardiovascular disease. Echocardiographic screening for early detection of RHD has the potential to enable timely commencement of treatment (secondary prophylaxis) to halt progression to severe valvular disease. However, a number of issues remain to be addressed regarding its feasibility. The natural history of Definite RHD without a prior history of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and Borderline RHD are both unclear. Even if they are variants of RHD it is not known whether secondary antibiotic prophylaxis will prevent disease progression as it does in "traditionally" diagnosed RHD. False positives can also have a detrimental impact on individuals and their families as well as place substantial burdens on health care systems. Recent research suggests that handheld echocardiography (HAND) may offer a cheaper and more convenient alternative to standard portable echocardiography (STAND) in RHD screening. However, while HAND is sensitive for the detection of Definite RHD, it is less sensitive for Borderline RHD and is relatively poor at detecting mitral stenosis (MS). Given its attendant limited specificity, potential cases detected with HAND would require re-examination by standard echocardiography. For now, echocardiographic screening for RHD should remain a subject of research rather than routine health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc G W Rémond
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia
| | - Graeme P Maguire
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES To project the cost-effectiveness of population-based echo screening to prevent rheumatic heart disease (RHD) consequences. BACKGROUND RHD is a leading cause of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity during adolescence and young adulthood in low- and middle-per capita income settings. Echocardiography-based screening approaches can dramatically expand the number of children identified at risk of progressive RHD. Cost-effectiveness analysis can inform public health agencies and payers about the net economic benefit of such large-scale population-based screening. METHODS A Markov model was constructed comparing a no-screen to echo screen approach. The echo screen program was modeled as a 2-staged screen of a cohort of 11-year-old children with initial short screening performed by dedicated technicians and follow-up complete echo by cardiologists. Penicillin RHD prophylaxis was modeled to only reduce rheumatic fever recurrence-related exacerbation. Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and societal costs (in 2010 Australian dollars) associated with each approach were estimated. One-way, two-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed on RHD prevalence and transition probabilities; echocardiography test characteristics; and societal level costs including supplies, transportation, and labor. RESULTS The incremental costs and QALYs of the screen compared to no screen strategy were -$432 (95% CI = -$1357 to $575) and 0.007 (95% CI = -0.0101 to 0.0237), respectively. The joint probability that the screen was both less costly and more effective exceeded 80%. Sensitivity analyses suggested screen strategy dominance depends mostly on the probability of transitioning out of sub-clinical RHD. CONCLUSION Two-stage echo RHD screening and secondary prophylaxis may achieve modestly improved outcomes at lower cost compared to clinical detection and deserves closer attention from health policy stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin P Zachariah
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital , Boston, MA , USA and
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35
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Sliwa K, Johnson MR, Zilla P, Roos-Hesselink JW. Management of valvular disease in pregnancy: a global perspective. Eur Heart J 2015; 36:1078-89. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehv050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2014] [Accepted: 02/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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36
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Controlling acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in developing countries: are we getting closer? Curr Opin Pediatr 2015; 27:116-23. [PMID: 25490689 DOI: 10.1097/mop.0000000000000164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To describe new developments (2013-2014) in acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) relevant to developing countries. RECENT FINDINGS Improved opportunities for the primary prevention of ARF now exist, because of point-of-care antigen tests for Streptococcus pyogenes, and clinical decision rules which inform management of pharyngitis without requiring culture results. There is optimism that a vaccine, providing protection against many ARF-causing S. pyogenes strains, may be available in coming years. Collaborative approaches to RHD control, including World Heart Federation initiatives and the development of registers, offer promise for better control of this disease. New data on RHD-associated costs provide persuasive arguments for better government-level investment in primary and secondary prevention. There is expanding knowledge of potential biomarkers and immunological profiles which characterize ARF/RHD, and genetic mutations conferring ARF/RHD risk, but as yet no new diagnostic testing strategy is ready for clinical application. SUMMARY Reduction in the disease burden and national costs of ARF and RHD are major priorities. New initiatives in the primary and secondary prevention of ARF/RHD, novel developments in pathogenesis and biomarker research and steady progress in vaccine development, are all causes for optimism for improving control of ARF/RHD, which affect the poorest of the poor.
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37
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Gender differences in clinical characteristics and outcome of acute heart failure in sub-Saharan Africa: results of the THESUS-HF study. Clin Res Cardiol 2015; 104:481-90. [DOI: 10.1007/s00392-015-0810-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2014] [Accepted: 01/08/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Santoro F, Di Biase L, Santangeli P, Ieva R, Burkhardt JD, Natale A. The Role of Cardiac Imaging in Stroke Prevention. Card Electrophysiol Clin 2014; 6:17-29. [PMID: 27063818 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccep.2013.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
This article reviews the role of cardiac imaging in stroke prevention, defining how imaging tools can be useful in this field. Cardioembolic sources during atrial fibrillation are discussed. New closure devices can be implanted in the left atrial appendage and routinely monitored with imaging modalities. Acute and chronic left ventricular dysfunction is reviewed, identifying the possible mechanism of thrombus formation and its early detection. Valvular evaluation of native heart disease and possible implications for stroke risk are defined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Santoro
- Department of Cardiology, University of Foggia, viale L Pinto, 1, 71100, Foggia, Italy
| | - Luigi Di Biase
- Department of Cardiology, University of Foggia, viale L Pinto, 1, 71100, Foggia, Italy; Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, Heart & Vascular Department, St. David's Medical Center, 3000 N. IH 35 Suite 720, 78705, Austin, TX, USA; Division of Cardiology and Montefiore-Einstein Center for Heart and Vascular Care, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210th Street, 10467, Bronx, New York, NY, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 107 W. Dean Keeton, BME Building, 78712, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Pasquale Santangeli
- Department of Cardiology, University of Foggia, viale L Pinto, 1, 71100, Foggia, Italy; Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, Heart & Vascular Department, St. David's Medical Center, 3000 N. IH 35 Suite 720, 78705, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Riccardo Ieva
- Department of Cardiology, University of Foggia, viale L Pinto, 1, 71100, Foggia, Italy
| | - J David Burkhardt
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, Heart & Vascular Department, St. David's Medical Center, 3000 N. IH 35 Suite 720, 78705, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Andrea Natale
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, Heart & Vascular Department, St. David's Medical Center, 3000 N. IH 35 Suite 720, 78705, Austin, TX, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 107 W. Dean Keeton, BME Building, 78712, Austin, TX, USA; EP Services, California Pacific Medical Center, 2100 Webster Street, 94115, San Francisco, CA, USA; Division of Cardiology, Stanford Arrhythmia Service, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Drive, 94305, Stanford, CA, USA; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals of Cleveland, 11100 Euclid Avenue, 44106-5038 Cleveland, OH, USA; Interventional Electrophysiology, Department of Cardiology, Scripps Clinic, 10666 N Torrey Pines Road, 92037, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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