Table 3:
Baseline demographics and clinical characteristics associated with definite and possible acute rheumatic fever
| Definite acute rheumatic fever (n=90) | Possible acute rheumatic fever (n=82) | |
|---|---|---|
|
| ||
| Sex | ||
| Male | 42 (47%) | 39 (48%) |
| Female | 48 (53%) | 43 (52%) |
| Age | ||
| Median (IQR) | 9(7–12) | 10 (8–12) |
| Evidence of recent streptococcal infection | ||
| Positive group A streptococcus throat culture | 3 (3%) | 3 (4%) |
| Antistreptolysin O titres (>80% of normal range for age) | 60 (67%) | 23 (28%) |
| Antideoxyribonuclease B titres (>80% of normal range for age) | 68 (76%) | 45 (55%) |
| Antistreptolysin O titres (>80% of normal range for age) and antideoxyribonuclease B titres (>80% of normal range for age) | 46 (51%) | 11 (13%) |
| Joint manifestations | ||
| Any joint manifestation | 77 (86%) | 78 (95%) |
| Polyarthritis | 26 (29%) | 11 (13%) |
| Polyarthralgia | 45 (50%) | 54 (66%) |
| Monoarthritis | 4 (4%) | 1 (1%) |
| Monoarthralgia | 2 (2%) | 12 (15%) |
| Carditis | ||
| Any type of carditis | 44 (49%) | 1 (1%) |
| Mild | 7 (8%) | 1 (1%) |
| Moderate or severe | 37 (41%) | 0 |
| Normal echocardiogram with prolonged PR interval | 6 (7%) | 3 (4%) |
| Chorea | 7 (8%) | 0 |
| Subcutaneous nodules | 0 | 1 (1%) |
| Erythema marginatum | 0 | 0 |
| Fever | ||
| Any type of fever | 84 (93%) | 65 (79%) |
| Subjective | 74 (82%) | 50 (61%) |
| Objective | 10 (11%) | 15 (18%) |
| Elevated markers of inflammation | ||
| C-reactive protein (≥5 mg/dL) | 58 (64%) | 11 (13%) |
| Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (≥30 mm/h) | 46 (51%) | 8 (10%) |
Data are n (%) unless otherwise indicated.