Prevalence of rheumatic heart disease: has it declined in India?
Rheumatic heart disease continues to be a major health problem in many parts of the world. The epidemiology of rheumatic heart disease in India is of special interest as it may help to understand the effects of economic transition on this enigmatic disease. Critical appraisal of the published literature suggests the possibility of a real decline in the occurrence of the disease in some parts of the country, but a continuing onslaught in several other regions. The rate of decline seems to correlate more with improved public health facilities than with economic development alone. However, the cumulative burden of the disease remains high, and sustained efforts for the prevention of rheumatic heart disease are warranted.
Ramakrishnan
S
S
Department of Cardiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India. ramakgmc@rediffmail.com
Kothari
Shyam S
SS
Juneja
Rajnish
R
Bhargava
Balram
B
Saxena
Anita
A
Bahl
Vinay K
VK
D017281:Cost of Illness; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012214:Rheumatic Heart Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013997:Time Factors