Delayed diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever in adults: a forgotten cause of febrile polyarthritis.
Acute rheumatic fever is a nonsuppurative sequela of upper respiratory tract infection with group A streptococci. We describe our recent experience with the diagnosis and management of 3 cases of acute rheumatic fever to highlight the delays that may arise in the diagnosis of this condition. In adults, febrile polyarthritis is the most common presentation of acute rheumatic fever. Increased awareness on the part of the physician is necessary to ensure both prompt and accurate diagnosis of this cause of febrile polyarthritis.
Chan
A W
AW
Division of General Internal Medicine, Toronto Hospital, Canada.
Webb
G
G
Vellend
H
H
Gold
W L
WL
D000328:Adult; D001168:Arthritis / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D012213:Rheumatic Fever / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000302:isolation & purification*