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Abstract Background Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is the most common acquired heart disease occurring in children and adolescents. RHD is associated with significant morbidity and mortality particularly in low and middle- income countries (LMICs) where the burden is estimated to be higher compared to high income countries. Subclinical RHD is the presence of valvular lesion diagnosed by echocardiography in a person with no clinical manifestation of RHD. This study aimed at determining the prevalence, types and factors associated with subclinical RHD among primary school children in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Methods A descriptive community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in primary school children from February to May 2019. A standardized structured questionnaire was used to collect demographic characteristics, history of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), anthropometric measurements, and chest auscultation findings. Moreover echocardiographic screening was done to all children recruited into the study. World Heart Federation echocardiographic classification was used to define the types and prevalence of subclinical RHD. Results A total of 949 primary school children were enrolled with females being predominant (57.1%). The prevalence of subclinical RHD was 34 per 1000. All the participants had mitral valve disease only whereby 17 had definite disease and 15 had a borderline disease. The associated factors for subclinical RHD were older age of more than 9 years (OR 10.8, 95% CI 1.4–82.2, P = 0.02) having three or more episodes of URTI in previous six months (OR 21, 95% CI 9.6–46, P = 0.00) and poor hygiene (OR 3, 95% CI 1.3–6.8, P = 0.009). Conclusion Subclinical RHD as detected by echocardiographic screening is prevalent in primary school children, uniformly affects the mitral valve, and is associated with potentially modifiable risk factors. Children with a history of more than three episodes of URTI in six months represents a high-risk population that should be targeted for RHD screening.

Background Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) causes premature deaths every year worldwide. Low socioeconomic level is considered to be a risk factor facilitating the transmission of airway infections due to Streptococcus pyogenes. Subclinical RHD is a stage of RHD in which heart valve abnormalities have occurred according to the WHO or WHF classification but without any complaints to the subject. Echocardiography is used to screen subclinical RHD in several countries. Objective To estimate the prevalence, risk factors, and echocardiographic features of subclinical RHD in children. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 250 elementary school children in Palembang, South Sumatera. We interviewed subject's parents about family characteristics, environment, and history of recurrent sore throat. Subjects underwent anthropometric examination, auscultation, and echocardiography. Diagnosis of RHD was based on World Health Organization (WHO) and World Heart Federation (WHF) criteria. Results Of 250 subjects, 132 (53.8%) were girls. Subjects’ age range was 5-14 years. The prevalence of subclinical RHD was 8% (95%CI 4.8 to 11.6). Of the 20 subclinical RHD subjects, 15 (75%) met the possible RHD criteria, 5 (25%) met the probable RHD criteria, and none met the definite RHD criteria. Multivariate analysis showed that household crowding (OR 8.135; 95%CI 1.048 TO 63.143; P=0.045), history of recurrent sore throat within the previous 6 months (OR 6,476; 95%CI 1.79 to 23.427; P=0.004) and age > 10 years (OR 3.167, 95%CI 1.184 to 8.471; P=0.022) significantly increased the risk of subclinical RHD. Conclusion The prevalence of subclinical RHD in elementary school children in Palembang was 8%. For echocardiographic features, most cases met the WHO/WHF possible RHD criteria. Factors significantly associated with the incidence of subclinical RHD are age > 10 years, household crowding, and history of recurrent sore throat in the previous 6 months.

Background: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is the most common acquired heart disease occurring in children and adolescents. RHD is associated with significant morbidity and mortality particularly in low and middle- income countries (LMICs) where the burden is estimated to be higher compared to high income countries. Subclinical RHD is the presence of valvular lesion diagnosed by echocardiography in a person with no clinical manifestation of RHD. This study aimed at determining the prevalence, types and factors associated with subclinical RHD among primary school children in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.Methods: A descriptive community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in primary school children from February to May 2019. A standardized structured questionnaire was used to collect demographic characteristics, history of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), anthropometric measurements, and chest auscultation findings. Moreover echocardiographic screening was done to all children recruited into the study. World Heart Federation echocardiographic classification was used to define the types and prevalence of subclinical RHD.Results: A total of 949 primary school children were enrolled with females being predominant (57.1%). The prevalence of subclinical RHD was 34 per 1000. All the participants had mitral valve disease only whereby 17 had definite disease and 15 had a borderline disease. The associated factors for subclinical RHD were older age of more than 9 years (OR 10.8, 95% CI 1.4-82.2, P = 0.02) having three or more episodes of URTI in previous six months (OR 21, 95% CI 9.6-46, P = 0.00) and poor hygiene (OR 3, 95% CI 1.3-6.8, P = 0.009).Conclusion: Subclinical RHD as detected by echocardiographic screening is prevalent in primary school children, uniformly affects the mitral valve, and is associated with potentially modifiable risk factors. Children with a history of more than three episodes of URTI in six months represents a high-risk population that should be targeted for RHD screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) causes premature deaths every year worldwide. Low socioeconomic level is considered to be a risk factor facilitating the transmission of airway infections due to Streptococcus pyogenes. Subclinical RHD is a stage of RHD in which heart valve abnormalities have occurred according to the World Health Organization (WHO) or World Heart Federation (WHF) classification but without any complaints to the subject. Echocardiography is used to screen subclinical RHD in several countries. Objective To estimate the prevalence, risk factors, and echocardiographic features of subclinical RHD in children. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 250 elementary school children in Palembang, South Sumatera. We interviewed subject's parents about family characteristics, environment, and history of recurrent sore throat. Subjects underwent anthropometric examination, auscultation, and echocardiography. Diagnosis of RHD was based on WHO and WHF criteria. Results Of 250 subjects, the prevalence of subclinical RHD was 8% (95%CI 4.8 to 11.6). Of the 20 subclinical RHD subjects, 15/20 met the possible RHD criteria, 5/20 met the probable RHD criteria, and none met the definite RHD criteria. Multivariate analysis showed that household crowding (OR 8.135; 95%CI 1.048 to 63.143; P=0.045), history of recurrent sore throat within the previous 6 months (OR 6,476; 95%CI 1.79 to 23.427; P=0.004) and age > 10 years (OR 3.167, 95%CI 1.184 to 8.471; P=0.022) significantly increased the risk of subclinical RHD. Conclusion The prevalence of subclinical RHD in elementary school children is 8%. For echocardiographic features, most cases met the WHO/WHF possible RHD criteria. Factors significantly associated with the incidence of subclinical RHD are age > 10 years, household crowding, and history of recurrent sore throat in the previous 6 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]