Abstract
Introduction
Juvenile rheumatic heart disease (RHD) refers to RHD in patients <20 years of age. There are no contemporary data highlighting the differences between juvenile and older RHD patients.
Purpose
We aim to report the age related differences in the pattern, and consequencies of valvular dysfunction in patients of RHD.
Methods
The 2475 consecutive patients of RHD diagnosed using clinical and echocardiographic criteria were registered prospectively from 2011 till December 2019. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to their age: Group 1 (Juvenile RHD), Group 2 (21–50 years), and Group 2 (>51 years).The data concerning the socio-demographic and clinical profile were recorded systematically, and the nature and severity of valvular dysfunction was assessed by echocardiography. The data were analyzed using the Epi-InfoTM Software.
Results
Out of 2475 RHD patients, Juvenile RHD comprised of 211 (8.5%) patients. Group 2 and 3 comprised of 1691 (68.3%) and 573 (23.2%) patients respectively. Overall, 1767 (71.4%) patients were females, however this female predilection was less pronounced in juvenile RHD (55.5% females vs 44.5% males) as compared to older groups. Past history of acute rheumatic fever was more commonly recorded in Juvenile RHD group (37.9% vs 18.8% in group 2 and 10% in group 3, p=0.0001). At the time of registration, the presence of advanced heart failure symptoms (dyspnea class III and IV) (11.4% group 1 vs 13.9% group 2 vs 20.6% group 3, p<0.0001), right heart failure symptoms (0.9% group 1 vs 2.5% group 2 vs 7.3% group 3, p<0.01), thromboembolic events (0% group 1 vs 4.1% group 2 vs 3.3% group 3, p<0.01), atrial fibrillation (2.8% group 1 vs 24.5% group 2 vs 45.9% group 3, p<0.0001), and pulmonary hypertension (27.1% group 1 vs 40.3% group 2 vs 51.9% group 3, p<0.01), were all more commonly recorded in non-juvenile older RHD groups. Multivalvular involvement was also less common in juvenile RHD (34.6% vs 42.4% and 44.5%, p=0.04). Mitral regurgitation was the most common lesion in Juvenile RHD followed by aortic regurgitation (68.7% and 40.2% respectively). Stenotic lesions (both mitral and aortic) were present more commonly in older age groups.
Conclusion
RHD is predominantly a disease of females, however the predilection is less common in juvenile patients. Juvenile RHD predominantly affects the mitral valve and mainly leads to regurgitant lesions. As the age advances, the complications of RHD, mainly heart failure symptoms, thromboembolic events, pulmonary hypertension, and atrial fibrillation, become more common.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): Self sponsored registry
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