Articles: pandemics.
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Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992) · Sep 2022
Changes in the frequency and clinical features of acute rheumatic fever in the COVID-19 era: a retrospective analysis from a single center.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in significant changes in the frequency of many diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate the changes in the frequency and clinical features of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) in this period and determine the effect of health measures taken against COVID-19 on this change. ⋯ Our results indicated an important decrease in frequency of ARF, but no change in the clinical features of the disease during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is thought that this is the result of health measures taken for COVID-19. Children with an increased risk of acute rheumatic fever should be encouraged in terms of wearing mask, social distance, and cleaning, especially during the seasons when upper respiratory tract infections are common. Thus, a permanent decrease in the incidence of ARF and its recurrences may be achieved.