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Mortality due to rheumatic heart disease in the Kimberley 2001–2010
Insights
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) causes significant premature mortality in the Kimberley, particularly among Aboriginal people. The age-standardised death rate for RHD in Aboriginal individuals is 1.6 times the national Indigenous Australian rate.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Cardiology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remains a significant public health concern, especially in remote Australian communities.
- High mortality rates associated with RHD disproportionately affect Indigenous populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the mortality burden of RHD in the Kimberley region.
- To assess RHD-related deaths among Aboriginal people in the Kimberley.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective audit of medical records for deceased patients identified by the Western Australian RHD Program (2001-2010).
- Inclusion criteria: documented or strongly suggested RHD.
- Calculation of crude and age-standardised death rates.
Main Results:
- 34 patients identified with RHD; 15 died from RHD-attributable causes.
- 93% of RHD deaths were among Aboriginal individuals.
- Mean age at death for Aboriginal people was 41 years; age-standardised RHD death rate was 12.5 per 100,000 annually (1.6x national Indigenous rate).
- RHD contributed to 342 potential years of life lost.
Conclusions:
- RHD causes substantial premature mortality and elevated death rates in Kimberley's Aboriginal population, aligning with trends in northern Australia.
- The WA RHD Program aims to reduce RHD mortality and morbidity.
- Further research and investment are crucial to address RHD, a disease linked to socioeconomic disadvantage.
Objective:
To determine the mortality burden of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in the Kimberley.
Methods:
A retrospective medical record audit was conducted for patients identified by the Western Australian (WA) RHD Program as deceased between 2001 and 2010. Patients with documented evidence strongly suggesting or confirming RHD were included in the study. Crude and age-standardised death rates were calculated.
Results:
A total of 34 patients were identified as having RHD, 15 of whom died of RHD-attributable causes and 93% of whom were Aboriginal. The most common causes of death were arrhythmias and heart failure. The mean age at death of Aboriginal people was 41 years. The age-standardised death rate in Aboriginal people attributable to RHD in the Kimberley was 12.5 per 100,000 people per year, which is 1.6 times the rate of Indigenous Australians nationally. RHD contributed to 342 potential life years lost over the 10-year period.
Conclusion:
RHD contributes to significant premature mortality and higher rates of death in Aboriginal people in the Kimberley, which is consistent with other areas of northern Australia. While the recent establishment of the WA RHD Program will endeavour to improve mortality and morbidity due to RHD in the Kimberley, further research and investment is needed to address this disease of socioeconomic disadvantage.
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