[Incidence of rheumatic fever in Slovakia during the last 20 years]

The incidence of rheumatic fever has a declining trend in Slovakia. In 1972 there were 26.7 primary attacks and 8.7 relapses per 100,000 children aged 0-14 years, in 1990 there are 0.5 primary attacks and 0.4 relapses and in 1991 0.4 primary attacks and no relapses. The interregional (former regions) distribution was to the disadvantage of eastern parts but gradually this was evened out. Rheumatic fever occurs in girls and boys, in the majority mild arthritis forms are involved with unequivocal regression of carditic-arthritic forms. The decline can be ascribed to the rising socio-economic standard and health care.