A Comprehensive Study of Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease Cases in School Children of Tripura, Northeast India

Introduction: Rheumatic heart disease is still the commonest valvular heart disease in India, occurring following Rheumatic fever. There is no population based study regarding the prevalence of rheumatic fever/ rheumatic heart disease (RF/RHD) from Tripura. Methods and results: A school based survey for prevalence of RF/RHD was done in three districts of Tripura, as well as the OPD/IPD cases attending tertiary hospitals of the state. The subjects suspected to have RF/RHD on clinical ground were subjected to investigations and echocardiography to confirm the diagnosis. Total 2876 subjects were screened in active surveillance and 215 cases from OPD/IPD.28 cases were found to have RF/RHD. Mitral valve was the commonest to be involved and was given penicillin prophylaxis. Male preponderance was found. Conclusion: RF/RHD is declining in Tripura, however many areas of the state need to have active surveillance. Mitral valve is commonest to be involved and prevalence is much more in male than in female.