Abstract

Background: Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) is avoidable but a major public health issue, particularly among low- and middle-income nations. Targeted therapies require knowledge of their prevalence and demographic and clinical variables. Methods: At a leading referral cardiology clinic, 450 patients' medical records from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023, were reviewed in a retrospective cross-sectional study. RHD prevalence, demographics, clinical aspects, and outcomes were examined. RHD predictors were identified using chi-square testing and logistic regression. Results: The study found a 20% prevalence of RHD among clinic attendees. The disease was predominantly seen in individuals aged 25-35 years (40% of cases) and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds (70% of cases). Clinical characteristics revealed that 50% of the patients had moderate disease severity, and 60% had at least one comorbid condition. Statistical analysis identified age, low socioeconomic status, and history of streptococcal throat infections as significant predictors of RHD. The hospitalization rate was 50%, and the mortality rate was 5%.

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