Document Detail


Acute rheumatic fever and poststreptococcal reactive arthritis reconsidered.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20150812     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The incidence of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) in the United States and Western Europe is decreasing and postStreptococcal reactive arthritis (PSRA) is more prevalent. It is not clear whether PSRA is a forme fruste of ARF or a separate disease entity. Therefore, this review explores similarities and dissimilarities in initial symptoms and signs, disease course and underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms. RECENT FINDINGS: ARF and PSRA present differently. PSRA patients are generally older, have a longer interval between group A streptococcus infection and symptom onset, and respond less dramatically to salicylates than ARF patients. The course of ARF may be complicated by carditis and valvular heart disease. Echocardiographic studies in Caucasian adults with PSRA have revealed no increase in valvular heart disease. The course of PSRA is characterized by arthritis that, in contrast to ARF, is additive, nonmigratory and is frequently chronic. Factors of the host, the Streptococcus and the immune response involved in the development of PSRA are scarcely explored, hampering comparisons with ARF. SUMMARY: On the basis of the differences in clinical presentation and disease course, ARF and PSRA are separate disease entities. Development of validated diagnostic criteria for PSRA is mandatory to proceed with studies on pathophysiological mechanisms and treatment in PSRA.
Authors:
Annette H M van der Helm-van Mil
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Current opinion in rheumatology     Volume:  22     ISSN:  1531-6963     ISO Abbreviation:  Curr Opin Rheumatol     Publication Date:  2010 Jul 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-06-09     Completed Date:  2010-09-03     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9000851     Medline TA:  Curr Opin Rheumatol     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  437-42     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. AvdHelm@lumc.nl
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Arthritis, Reactive / diagnosis*,  epidemiology*,  microbiology
Diagnosis, Differential
Humans
Incidence
Prevalence
Rheumatic Fever / diagnosis*,  epidemiology*
Streptococcal Infections / diagnosis*,  epidemiology*

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