Chorea as a manifestation of rheumatic fever--a 30-year survey (1960-1990)

Sydenham chorea, a major manifestation of acute rheumatic fever, has been the most common form of acquired chorea during childhood. Despite the recent dramatic decline in both incidence and severity of rheumatic fever in our area, the frequency of carditis was unchanged. This study investigated retrospectively the incidence of chorea in the last three decades (1960-1990) in our area. During the 30 years of the survey, 28 patients with Sydenham chorea were treated in our centre of whom 10 were seen between 1960-1970, 17 between 1970-1980, and only one patient between 1980-1990.