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Research

Excess Deaths Associated with Rheumatic Heart Disease, Australia, 2013-2017

During 2013–2017, the mortality rate ratio for rheumatic heart disease among Indigenous versus non-Indigenous persons in Australia was 15.9, reflecting health inequity. Using excess mortality methods, we found that deaths associated with rheumatic heart disease among Indigenous Australians were probably substantially undercounted, affecting accuracy of calculations based solely on Australian Bureau of Statistics data.

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2023 World Heart Federation guidelines for the echocardiographic diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is an important and preventable cause of morbidity and mortality among children and young adults in low-income and middle-income countries, as well as among certain at-risk populations living in high-income countries. The 2012 World Heart Federation echocardiographic criteria provided a standardized approach for the identification of RHD and facilitated an improvement in early case detection.

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A Review of Cardiac Surgical Procedures and Their Outcomes for Paediatric Rheumatic Heart Disease in Western Australia

Surgical intervention is an important treatment modality for advanced rheumatic heart disease (RHD). This study aimed to describe patient characteristics and outcomes from cardiac surgery for RHD in patients referred to the only tertiary paediatric hospital in Western Australia. 

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The potential global cost-effectiveness of prospective Strep A vaccines and associated implementation efforts

Group A Streptococcus causes a wide range of diseases from relatively mild infections including pharyngitis to more severe illnesses such as invasive diseases and rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Our aim is to estimate the cost-effectiveness of a hypothetical Strep A vaccine on multiple disease manifestations at the global-level.

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Rheumatic Heart Disease in Pregnancy: New Strategies for an Old Disease?

RHD in pregnancy (RHD-P) is associated with an increased burden of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. A sequellae of rheumatic fever resulting in heart valve damage if untreated, RHD is twice as common in women. In providing an historical overview, this commentary provides context for prevention and treatment in the 21 st century. Four underlying themes inform much of the literature on RHD-P: its association with inequities; often-complex care requirements; demands for integrated care models, and a life-course approach.

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Understanding group A streptococcal pharyngitis and skin infections as causes of rheumatic fever: Protocol for a prospective disease incidence study

This study will identify the incidence of true Group A Streptococcal pharyngitis and serological responses to Group A Streptococcal GAS skin infections

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Community-based participatory action research on rheumatic heart disease in an Australian Aboriginal homeland: Evaluation of the ‘On track watch’ project

Based in 'both-way learning', the aim of this study was to co-design, implement and evaluate community-based participatory action research to achieve this vision

Research

Environmental and social determinants of acute rheumatic fever: a longitudinal cohort study

Prevention strategies in ARF endemic settings may be enhanced by targeting new members entering a community and children in environments of close contact

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Dysregulated IL-1β-GM-CSF Axis in Acute Rheumatic Fever That Is Limited by Hydroxychloroquine

We propose that hydroxychloroquine could be repurposed to reduce the risk of rheumatic heart disease after acute rheumatic fever

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Prospective cohort study of childhood behaviour problems and adolescent sexual risk-taking: Gender matters

This study sought to determine relationships, by gender, between childhood behaviour problems and adolescent risky sexual behaviours and substance use.