FREQUENCY OF RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY IN DISTRICT DERA ISMAIL KHAN

Background: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) continues to be a major public health problem in developing countries like Pakistan. There is no data regarding the prevalence of RHD in our part of country. So we conducted this study to determine the frequency of RHD in patients undergoing echocardiography in District Dera Ismail Khan. Material & Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2011 and March 2013. A total of 1215 patients who were sent for echocardiography for evaluation of dyspnea, palpitation, Shortness of breath, murmur on auscultation and arrhythmia on ECG were included in the study. Frequency of RHD in the study population was noted. Results: A total of 1215 patients between five to 60 years of age were included in the study. All patients underwent echocardiography as per AHA /ACCA Guidelines. There were 753 (62%) males and 462 (38%) females in the study population, with (1.6 to 1) male to female ratio. Mean age of the study population was 38±11yrs. Frequency of RHD was 5.68%. There were 46(66.6%) females and 23(33.3%) males having RHD, mean age of the patients having RHD was 34.33±14 years. Mitral valve was the most common valve involved. Conclusion: Frequency of rheumatic heart disease was high in our study population. It was more common in young female patients. Mitral was the most common valve involved.