Acute Rheumatic Fever Associated With Household Crowding in a Developed Country

Jaine, Richard; Baker, Michael G; Venugopal, Kamalesh

doi:10.1097/inf.0b013e3181fbd85b

Cited by 106 publications

(94 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Household overcrowding is perhaps the best described risk factor and reduced overcrowding has been cited as one of the most important factors underlying the decline in ARF incidence in wealthy countries during the twentieth century 21 . Recent data clearly show an association of ARF and RHD with household crowding 20,22,23 (see discussion on primordial prevention below).…”

Section: Epidemiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease

Carapetis

Beaton

Cunningham

et al. 2016

Nat Rev Dis Primers

462

486

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Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is the result of an autoimmune response to pharyngitis caused by infection with group A Streptococcus. The long-term damage to cardiac valves caused by ARF, which can result from a single severe episode or from multiple recurrent episodes of the illness, is known as rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and is a notable cause of morbidity and mortality in resource-poor settings around the world. Although our understanding of disease pathogenesis has advanced in recent years, this has not led to dramatic improvements in diagnostic approaches, which are still reliant on clinical features using the Jones Criteria, or treatment practices. Indeed, penicillin has been the mainstay of treatment for decades and there is no other treatment that has been proven to alter the likelihood or the severity of RHD after an episode of ARF. Recent advances — including the use of echocardiographic diagnosis in those with ARF and in screening for early detection of RHD, progress in developing group A streptococcal vaccines and an increased focus on the lived experience of those with RHD and the need to improve quality of life — give cause for optimism that progress will be made in coming years against this neglected disease that affects populations around the world, but is a particular issue for those living in poverty.

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Section: Epidemiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease

Carapetis

Beaton

Cunningham

et al. 2016

Nat Rev Dis Primers

462

486

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Although now rare in developed countries, ARF maintains a noteworthy presence in economically disadvantaged populations, driven by factors that include household overcrowding and poor hygiene. 1 The major morbidity and mortality result from cardiac involvement known as rheumatic heart disease (RHD).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Acute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease

et al. 2013

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Background-Although acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and its sequel, rheumatic heart disease (RHD), continue to cause a large burden of morbidity and mortality in disadvantaged populations, most studies investigating the effectiveness of control programs date from the 1950s. A control program, including a disease register, in the Northern Territory of Australia where the Indigenous population has high rates of ARF and RHD allowed us to examine current disease incidence and progression. Methods and Results-ARF and RHD incidence rates, ARF recurrence rates, progression rates from ARF to RHD to heart failure, and RHD survival and mortality rates were calculated for Northern Territory residents from 1997 to 2010. For Indigenous people, ARF incidence was highest in the 5-to 14-year age group (males, 162 per 100 000; females, 228 per 100 000). There was little evidence that the incidence of ARF or RHD had declined. The ARF recurrence rate declined by 9% per year after diagnosis. After a first ARF diagnosis, 61% developed RHD within 10 years. After RHD diagnosis, 27% developed heart failure within 5 years. For Indigenous RHD patients, the relative survival rate was 88.4% at 10 years after diagnosis and the standardized mortality ratio was 1.56 (95% confidence interval, 1.23-1.96). Conclusions-For Indigenous Australians in the Northern Territory, ARF and RHD incidence and associated mortality remain very high. The reduction in ARF recurrence indicates that the RHD control program has improved secondary prophylaxis; a decline in RHD incidence is expected to follow. (Circulation. 2013;128:492-501.)

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“…Cold and damp housing, substandard housing and overcrowding all influence health outcomes (Howden-Chapman, Crane, Baker, Cunningham, & Matheson, 2004;Krieger & Higgins, 2002), including poor mental health, psychological distress (Evans, Chan, Wells, & Saltzman, 2000), increased injuries (Keall, Baker, Howden-Chapman, & Cunningham, 2008), and infectious diseases (Jaine, Baker, & Venugopal, 2011), including respiratory diseases (Baker, Das, Venugopal, & Howden-Chapman, 2008). Much of the research on housing and health relates to quality of the housing, such as dampness and mould on walls, ceilings and windows, ventilation, insulation and warmth, and heating sources.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Housing quality and resilience in New Zealand

Pearson

Barnard

Pearce

et al. 2013

Building Research & Information

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There is extensive research on the negative health impacts of poor housing quality. However, little is known about the potential health benefits of high-quality housing in poor neighbourhoods. Neighbourhoods with unexpectedly good health outcomes despite high levels of deprivation have been deemed resilient places and housing quality in these areas may be a contributor to this resilience. This study aimed to evaluate whether an indicator of neighbourhood housing quality was associated with a previously quantified resilience index (RINZ) in New Zealand. It was found that areas with high housing quality tended to have higher median income, greater proportions of partnered people and shorter-term residents, and very low proportions of Mā ori. A positive association was found between housing quality and resilience, after adjustment for deprivation. There was no indication of differences by heterogeneity in housing quality within the aggregate unit of analysis. These findings pose the hypothesis that improving housing quality in similarly deprived areas that have poor health outcomes could potentially boost health. To extend this understanding, further development of a more sophisticated housing quality indicator is recommended.

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Acute Rheumatic Fever Associated With Household Crowding in a Developed Country

Abstract: In New Zealand, ARF rates are associated with household crowding at the CAU level. This finding supports action to reduce household crowding to improve health and reduce health inequalities. Our conclusion could be further investigated using a case-control study.

Cited by 106 publications

References 20 publications

Acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease

Acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease

Acute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease

Housing quality and resilience in New Zealand

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