Acute rheumatic fever: age distribution and disease burden
THE CONTEXT
The passage describes the usual age range and geographical burden of acute rheumatic fever and the mortality associated with rheumatic heart disease.
Affected population
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Acute rheumatic fever usually affects those aged 5–15 years.
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It is rare in developed countries but remains endemic in developing countries, where incidence can range from 13 to 150 cases per 100000 population per year.
Mortality burden
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The source reports approximately 300000 deaths worldwide each year from rheumatic heart disease.