Management of rheumatic chorea: an observational study.

Arq Neuropsiquiatr

Serviço de Neurologia, Instituto de Puericultura e Pediatria Martagão Gesteira, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.

Published: June 2002

Background: Rheumatic chorea (RC) has recently been linked to an antibody-mediated immune mechanism.

Objective/method: To verify if this knowledge reflected in management changes we conceived a descriptive study.

Results: The medical charts of 20 children (13 females) aged 6 to 12 years (mean 8 years), diagnosed as RC from June 1996 to June 1999, were reviewed. All patients received some medical treatment. Haloperidol was the most prescribed medication (15 patients - 75 %). Sulpiride, diazepam and valproate were also used as symptomatic treatment. Immune-modulating therapy with prednisone was prescribed for seven children. The shortest course of chorea (16 days) occurred in a patient treated with prednisone.

Conclusion: Prednisone has been prescribed for rheumatic chorea besides the traditional symptomatic approach. A great variety of antichoreic drugs are being employed.

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