Community survey for rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in Zaire

RESUMO

The high prevalence rate of 22.9 per 1000 obtained in this survey is consistent with the socioeconomic and political crisis instability. Reliable estimates have been obtained by screening schoolchildren. The data indicate that Zairian boys are susceptible to rheumatic heart disease between the ages of 5 and 12 years; and girls are older at rheumatic heart disease onset (13-16 years). Few cases of rheumatic fever were recognised because of the rarity of major manifestations like cholera; erythema marginatum; and subcutaneous nodules. As in many other reports; the mitral valve is the valve most commonly involved. There is a strong association between birth in rainy season; lower socioeconomic status; and rheumatic heart disease occurrence