Spectrum of Rheumatic Valvular Heart Disease in Pakistan:

Abstract

I am sure we all are aware of the fact that Rheumatic fever and Rheumatic Valvular heart disease continues to be a major health problem in Pakistan, like many other under developed countries. Incidence of Rheumatic fever and Rheumatic valvular heart disease in Pakistan is not exactly known. Out of the various surveys in Pakistan, the best designed and most reliable series is that of Syed et. al.2 According to this series, the most common cardiovascular problem in Pakistan, is hypertension with overall prevalence of 17.6% in adult population, with IHD 2nd with overall prevalence of 2.3% and 3rd as Rheumatic valvular heart disease with pre. valence of 0.6%. That figures being over 15 years old and impression is that the present prevalence is definitely higher than this. However, if we even accept these figures, then would be about 25,000 (quarter of a million) people suffering from rheumatic heart disease.We analyzed 1600 patients retrospectively who were referred to us for Echocardiography with Doppler studies, for one reason or the other. Out of these 394 patients were found to have Rheumatic Heart Disease.Age range was 10-65 years and majority of our patients were between 20-45 years.