[Rheumatic fever from 1960's to 1990's. Case records in 2 hospitals of the Lombardian area]

An epidemiological study of rheumatic fever (RF) has been done. Incidence and prevalence of RF observed in Monza Hospital from 1964 to 1990 and in Como Hospital from 1980 to 1990 both show a progressive reduction. An exception to this trend was observed in 1986 in Monza in 1985 in Como. The percentage of carditis in pediatric age is high (60-70%), often associated with arthritis and chorea. However carditis clinical picture seems nowadays less severe, probably because in the past the diagnosis was delayed. Sice 1980 no death were observed due to RF or related cardiac involvement. Relapses and residual valvulopathies are significantly reduced only when penicillin prophylaxis was correctly performed.