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Outcome in children with newly diagnosed rheumatic heart disease in Indonesia
Indah K Murni1,2, Nadya Arafuri1, Andrew C Steer3,4,5
1Department of Child Health, Dr Sardjito Hospital/Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Insights
In children with rheumatic heart disease (RHD), valvular progression occurred in nearly half within a year. Older age and high C-reactive protein (CRP) levels predict this progression.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Rheumatology
- Public Health
Background:
- Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) poses significant morbidity and mortality risks, particularly with severe valvular disease (VD).
- Identifying predictors of VD progression is crucial for improving clinical outcomes in RHD patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess outcomes in children diagnosed with RHD.
- To identify clinical predictors of valvular progression in pediatric RHD cases.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of 77 children with newly diagnosed RHD (2013-2020).
- Collected clinical and echocardiography data at diagnosis and followed patients for 1 year.
- Used Cox regression to identify independent predictors of VD progression.
Main Results:
- 33 (42.8%) children experienced VD progression within one year.
- Age at diagnosis >10 years (aHR 3.23) and high C-reactive protein (CRP) (aHR 3.69) were independent predictors of progression.
Conclusions:
- Nearly 40% of children with newly diagnosed RHD showed VD progression after one year.
- Age over 10 years and elevated CRP levels are associated with increased risk of VD progression in pediatric RHD.
Background:
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is associated with high morbidity and mortality, especially in those with severe RHD or progression of valvular disease (VD). Evaluation of the factors that predict valvular progression is important in order to improve clinical outcome.
Aim:
To evaluate outcome and clinical predictors of valvular progression in children with newly diagnosed RHD.
Methods:
A retrospective cohort study was conducted in children with newly diagnosed RHD at Dr Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia during 2013-2020. Clinical and echocardiography data at the time of diagnosis were collected and patients were followed up for 1 year. Echocardiography evaluations were undertaken to determine the progression of VD. Independent predictors of valvular progression were identified by Cox regression analysis.
Results:
A total of 77 patients were recruited, 36 (46.7%) of whom were male, and the median age (range) was 12.3 years (5.9-17.8). Thirty-three (42.8%) had progression of VD in the year after diagnosis. By multivariable analysis, an age at diagnosis of >10 years and high C-reactive protein (CRP) were independently associated with an increased risk of valvular progression with an adjusted hazard ratio (95% CI) of 3.23 (1.09-9.60) and 3.69 (1.45-9.67), respectively.
Conclusion:
After only 1 year of follow-up, approximately four in 10 children with newly diagnosed RHD developed progression of VD. An increased risk of valvular progression was associated with being over 10 years of age and a high level of CRP.
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