title: Rheumatic fever recurrences: controlled study of 3-week versus 4-week benzathine penicillin prevention programs.
abstract: To compare the merits of 3-week versus 4-week injections of benzathine penicillin G in preventing recurrence of rheumatic fever, 179 patients aged 4 to 19 years were assigned to one of the two programs. Age, weight, cardiac status, and streptococcal infections among the patients and their family members studied in each program were comparable. Eight-two patients and their family members were monitored for streptococcal infections. Compliance in the two programs was comparable. Of the 63 patients who stayed in the 4-week program, RF recurred in six, as a result of prophylaxis failure in five and associated with partial compliance in one. Of the 90 patients in the 3-week program, RF recurred in one, associated with partial compliance; no failures occurred (P = 0.01). We recommended that for RF chemoprophylaxis in individuals at great risk, regardless of age, benzathine penicillin injections should be administered every 3 rather than every 4 weeks.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010400:Penicillin G / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010401:Penicillin G Benzathine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012213:Rheumatic Fever / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012214:Rheumatic Heart Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D012306:Risk; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D010400:Penicillin G; D010401:Penicillin G Benzathine