Think ARS, Stop RHD | ACCYPN

Think ARS, Stop RHD

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Presenters: Sand Downing , Erin Howell

Organisation: Rheumatic Heart Progam

Date of Presentation: 20/10/14

Abstract:

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a preventable, chronic disease that is generally associated with poverty and poor living conditions. RHD is the most common
cardiovascular disease among young people under the age of 25 years in developing countries. RHD results as a consequence of acute rheumatic fever (ARF), a selflimiting
inflammatory illness triggered by an immunological reaction to infection with group A streptococcus (GAS).ARF is an illness in which the heart, joints, brain and skin
are affected. Following ARF the valves in the heart can have permanent scarring and incompetence, and this is RHD. Individuals with a history of ARF are at high risk of
subsequent episodes of ARF. Recurrent ARF worsens cardiac valve damage and RHD so the focus of management in those with the disease is preventing recurrent ARF.
In Australia, ARF predominantly affects young people in rural and remote Indigenous communities in northern and
central Australia. In these settings ARF incidence has been estimated to at 150-380 per 100,000 among 5-14 year olds, with up to 2% of people of all ages having RHD.
Other high risk groups in Australia include New Zealand Maori, Pacific Islanders and immigrants from countries
with high rates of ARF and RHD. The rates seen in Australian rural and remote Indigenous communities are
some of the highest reported worldwide, however recent studies suggest that ARF in Australia is more common in
urban areas than previously thought. Our presentation will describe the approaches to disease
prevention and control strategies in Australian settings. Resources available to support clinicians, families and
individuals with RHD and the broader community will be featured.