Prevalence of Rheumatic Heart Disease According to Revised Jones Criteria (2015) in Assiut Governate

Although acute rheumatic fever (ARF) has declined in Europe and North America in incidence over the past 4 to 6 decades, the disease remains one of the most important causes of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality especially in the developing countries that are home to the majority of the world's population(1), Incidence rates in these countries still reach epidemic levels(2).

In general, most patients with RHD do not have documented histories of ARF, and they present with late complications, such as heart failure, arrhythmia, stroke, endocarditis, or pregnancy-related complications(3).

Echocardiographic screening according to revised jones criteria (2015) (1) is the most reliable way of detecting RHD in asymptomatic people, and it can identify large numbers of previously undetected cases(4-6).

People with RHD detected by screening can receive appropriate cardiac care, including guideline-recommended secondary prophylaxis(7). This may be a cost-effective approach to managing RHD in groups at high risk in Assiut Governate(8). Nevertheless, large scale screening has not been undertaken, and studies are underway to determine the best models for sustainable targeted screening and to evaluate the impact of screening and treatment on clinical outcomes(9).

In this study, we aimed to determine the role of echocardiographic screening for detecting undiagnosed RHD, and to estimate the prevalence of RHD in Assiut Governate.