Stacey, Ingrid and Ralph, Anna and de Dassel, Jessica and Nedkoff, Lee and Wade, Vicki and Francia, Carl and Wyber, Rosemary and Murray, Kevin and Hung, Joseph and Katzenellenbogen, Judith (2023) The evidence that rheumatic heart disease control programs in Australia are making an impact. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 47 (4). p. 100071. ISSN 13260200
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) comprises heart-valve damage caused by acute rheumatic fever (ARF). The Australian Government Rheumatic Fever Strategy funds RHD Control Programs to support detection and management of ARF and RHD. We assessed epidemiological changes during the years of RHD Control Program operation. METHODS: Linked RHD register, hospital and death data from four Australian jurisdictions were used to measure ARF/RHD outcomes between 2010 and 2017, including: 2-year progression to severe RHD/death; ARF recurrence; secondary prophylaxis delivery and earlier disease detection. RESULTS: Delivery of secondary prophylaxis improved from 53% median proportion of days covered (95%CI: 46-61%, 2010) to 70% (95%CI: 71-68%, 2017). Secondary prophylaxis adherence protected against progression to severe RHD/death (hazard ratio 0.2, 95% CI 0.1-0.8). Other measures of program effectiveness (ARF recurrences, progression to severe RHD/death) remained stable. ARF case numbers and concurrent ARF/RHD diagnoses increased. CONCLUSIONS: RHD Control Programs have contributed to major success in the management of ARF/RHD through increased delivery of secondary prevention yet ARF case numbers, not impacted by secondary prophylaxis and sensitive to increased awareness/surveillance, increased. IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH: RHD Control Programs have a major role in delivering cost-effective RHD prevention. Sustained investment is needed but with greatly strengthened primordial and primary prevention.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | R Medicine > R Medicine (General) |
| Depositing User: | Repository Administrator |
| Date Deposited: | 03 Apr 2024 03:16 |
| Last Modified: | 09 Apr 2024 02:48 |
| URI: | https://eprints.victorchang.edu.au/id/eprint/1447 |
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