Prevalence of Rheumatic Heart Disease in First-Degree Relatives of Index-Cases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is the leading cause of cardiac death in children, with over 300,000 annual fatalities. Immunological, genetic, and environmental factors contribute to an increased risk of RHD. It remains unclear whether first-degree relatives have a higher prevalence of RHD compared to the general population in the same region.

Methods

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of echocardiographic screening studies reporting the prevalence of RHD in family members of individuals with RHD or acute rheumatic fever. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Lilacs databases were searched. RHD was classified as per the 2012 World Heart Federation criteria. Random-effects models assessed definite RHD prevalence in study groups.

Results

Four of the 1,

SUBMITTER: Mutarelli A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11908434 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature