++
For further information, see CMDT Part 10-48: Rheumatic Fever
+++
Essentials of Diagnosis
++
More common (100 cases/100,000 population) in developing countries than in the United States (approximately 2 cases/100,000 population)
Peak incidence ages 5–15 years
Revision of Jones criteria in 2015 includes echocardiographic findings
May involve mitral and other valves acutely, rarely leading to heart failure
+++
General Considerations
++
++
Rheumatic fever
Rare before age 4 or after age 40 years
Responsible for 250,000 deaths in young people worldwide each year
Over 15 million have evidence for rheumatic heart disease
Rheumatic heart disease
While there has been progress against this disease, it remains a major cardiovascular problem in the poorest regions of the world
In 2015, there were 33.4 million cases globally
Responsible for 320,000 deaths in 2015
++
++