Clinical Profile and Outcomes of Rheumatic Heart Disease Patients Undergoing Surgical Valve Procedures in Uganda.

Background: Chronic valvular heart disease is a well-known, long-term complication of acute rheumatic fever (ARF), which remains a major public health problem in low- and middle-income countries. Access to surgical management remains limited. Outcomes of the minority proportion of patients that access surgery have not been described in Uganda.

Health Related Quality of Life of Ugandan Children Following Valve Replacement Surgery for Rheumatic Heart Disease.

Background: Valve replacement surgery (VRS) improves clinical outcomes in patients with severe rheumatic heart disease (RHD). However, lifelong anticoagulation and frequent monitoring are required, which potentially impacts health-related quality of life (HRQoL). In this study, we assessed the HRQoL of people with RHD in Uganda following VRS.

Clinical outcomes of children with rheumatic heart disease.

Objective: To evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes of children with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in Uganda, and determine characteristics that predict adverse outcomes.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study evaluated the risk of death in Ugandan children with clinical RHD from 2010 to 2018; enrolling children aged 5-18 years old from an existing registry. Demographic data and clinical data (baseline complications, RHD severity, cardiac interventions) were collected.

Cross-sectional study of population-specific streptococcal antibody titres in Uganda.

Objective: Despite substantial variation of streptococcal antibody titres among global populations, there is no data on normal values in sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this study was to establish normal values for antistreptolysin O (ASO) and antideoxyribonuclease B (ADB) antibodies in Uganda.

Design: This was an observational cross-sectional study.