The major aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of rheumatic heart disease in Yemen. Between October 1997 and March 1998, a prospective cluster-sampling screening study was carried out on 5000 schoolchildren (2504 female and 2496 male), aged 5 to 18 years. Suspected cases were subjected to electrocardiography, chest radiography, and Doppler echocardiography. Although no case of active rheumatic fever was found, 12 girls and 6 boys were affected by the disease, giving a prevalence of 3.6 per 1000, which is higher than that reported from neighboring countries. All confirmed and suspected cases were given penicillin G benzathine every 3 weeks, according to body weight, after a test dose. Prevention programs for rheumatic fever, together with prevention of streptococcal throat infections, are goals for the near future.
这项研究的主要目的是确定也门风湿性心脏病的患病率。在1997年10月至1998年3月期间,对5000名年龄在5至18岁之间的学童(2504名女性和2496名男性)进行了一项前瞻性集群抽样筛查研究。疑似病例接受了心电图、胸部X光和多普勒超声心动图检查。尽管未发现活动性风湿热病例,但有12名女孩和6名男孩患有该疾病,患病率为每千人3.6例,高于邻国的报道。所有确诊和疑似病例每3周按体重给予苄青霉素G,先进行试验剂量。风湿热的预防计划,以及预防链球菌喉部感染,是未来的目标。