Mortality due to rheumatic heart disease in the Kimberley 2001–2010

Abstract Objective: To determine the mortality burden of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in the Kimberley. Methods: A retrospective medical record audit was conducted for patients identified by the Western Australian (WA) RHD Program as deceased between 2001 and 2010. Patients with documented evidence...

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Main Authors: Alexandra Hofer, Sarah Woodland, Reeve Carole
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2014-04-01
Series:Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12112
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author Alexandra Hofer
Sarah Woodland
Reeve Carole
author_facet Alexandra Hofer
Sarah Woodland
Reeve Carole
author_sort Alexandra Hofer
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objective: To determine the mortality burden of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in the Kimberley. Methods: A retrospective medical record audit was conducted for patients identified by the Western Australian (WA) RHD Program as deceased between 2001 and 2010. Patients with documented evidence strongly suggesting or confirming RHD were included in the study. Crude and age‐standardised death rates were calculated. Results: A total of 34 patients were identified as having RHD, 15 of whom died of RHD‐attributable causes and 93% of whom were Aboriginal. The most common causes of death were arrhythmias and heart failure. The mean age at death of Aboriginal people was 41 years. The age‐standardised death rate in Aboriginal people attributable to RHD in the Kimberley was 12.5 per 100,000 people per year, which is 1.6 times the rate of Indigenous Australians nationally. RHD contributed to 342 potential life years lost over the 10‐year period. Conclusion: RHD contributes to significant premature mortality and higher rates of death in Aboriginal people in the Kimberley, which is consistent with other areas of northern Australia. While the recent establishment of the WA RHD Program will endeavour to improve mortality and morbidity due to RHD in the Kimberley, further research and investment is needed to address this disease of socioeconomic disadvantage.
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spelling doaj.art-7e5f9e8517644a93a21b4c574c296e832023-09-03T01:45:23ZengElsevierAustralian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health1326-02001753-64052014-04-0138213914110.1111/1753-6405.12112Mortality due to rheumatic heart disease in the Kimberley 2001–2010Alexandra Hofer0Sarah Woodland1Reeve Carole2Kimberley Population Health Unit, Western Australia Country Health ServiceKimberley Population Health Unit, Western Australia Country Health ServiceKimberley Population Health Unit, Western Australia Country Health ServiceAbstract Objective: To determine the mortality burden of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in the Kimberley. Methods: A retrospective medical record audit was conducted for patients identified by the Western Australian (WA) RHD Program as deceased between 2001 and 2010. Patients with documented evidence strongly suggesting or confirming RHD were included in the study. Crude and age‐standardised death rates were calculated. Results: A total of 34 patients were identified as having RHD, 15 of whom died of RHD‐attributable causes and 93% of whom were Aboriginal. The most common causes of death were arrhythmias and heart failure. The mean age at death of Aboriginal people was 41 years. The age‐standardised death rate in Aboriginal people attributable to RHD in the Kimberley was 12.5 per 100,000 people per year, which is 1.6 times the rate of Indigenous Australians nationally. RHD contributed to 342 potential life years lost over the 10‐year period. Conclusion: RHD contributes to significant premature mortality and higher rates of death in Aboriginal people in the Kimberley, which is consistent with other areas of northern Australia. While the recent establishment of the WA RHD Program will endeavour to improve mortality and morbidity due to RHD in the Kimberley, further research and investment is needed to address this disease of socioeconomic disadvantage.https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12112rheumatic heart diseasemortalityAboriginal health
spellingShingle Alexandra Hofer
Sarah Woodland
Reeve Carole
Mortality due to rheumatic heart disease in the Kimberley 2001–2010
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
rheumatic heart disease
mortality
Aboriginal health
title Mortality due to rheumatic heart disease in the Kimberley 2001–2010
title_full Mortality due to rheumatic heart disease in the Kimberley 2001–2010
title_fullStr Mortality due to rheumatic heart disease in the Kimberley 2001–2010
title_full_unstemmed Mortality due to rheumatic heart disease in the Kimberley 2001–2010
title_short Mortality due to rheumatic heart disease in the Kimberley 2001–2010
title_sort mortality due to rheumatic heart disease in the kimberley 2001 2010
topic rheumatic heart disease
mortality
Aboriginal health
url https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12112
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