Journal article
Risk factors for acute rheumatic fever: Literature review and protocol for a case-control study in New Zealand
MG Baker, J Gurney, J Oliver, NJ Moreland, DA Williamson, N Pierse, N Wilson, TR Merriman, T Percival, C Murray, C Jackson, R Edwards, LF Page, FC Mow, A Chong, B Gribben, D Lennon
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health | MDPI | Published : 2019
Abstract
Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and its sequela, rheumatic heart disease (RHD), have largely disappeared from high-income countries. However, in New Zealand (NZ), rates remain unacceptably high in indigenous Māori and Pacific populations. The goal of this study is to identify potentially modifiable risk factors for ARF to support effective disease prevention policies and programmes. A case-control design is used. Cases are those meeting the standard NZ case-definition for ARF, recruited within four weeks of hospitalisation for a first episode of ARF, aged less than 20 years, and residing in the North Island of NZ. This study aims to recruit at least 120 cases and 360 controls matched by age, eth..
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Awarded by Heart Foundation
Funding Acknowledgements
This research was funded by the Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) Rheumatic Fever Research Partnership (supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Health, Te Puni Kokiri,Cure Kids, Heart Foundation, and HRC) award number 13/959. The funding body approved the aims and broad design of the study but had no role in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data or in writing the manuscript or the decision to publish.