Trends in penicillin dispensing during an acute rheumatic fever prevention programme

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF), a serious inflammatory condition, often leads to rheumatic heart disease. Between 2011 and 2016, Aotearoa New Zealand implemented a rheumatic fever prevention programme to reduce high rates of ARF through improved community access to timely diagnosis and early treatment of group A streptococcal pharyngitis, which has been shown to prevent subsequent ARF.

Citation:
Bennett J, Anderson A, AThe Kidsnson J, …….. Cannon J. Trends in penicillin dispensing during an acute rheumatic fever prevention programme. N Z Med J. 2023;136(1586):84-93

Keywords:
Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; New Zealand; Penicillins; Retrospective Studies; Rheumatic Fever; Rheumatic Heart Disease

Abstract:
Acute rheumatic fever (ARF), a serious inflammatory condition, often leads to rheumatic heart disease. Between 2011 and 2016, Aotearoa New Zealand implemented a rheumatic fever prevention programme to reduce high rates of ARF through improved community access to timely diagnosis and early treatment of group A streptococcal pharyngitis, which has been shown to prevent subsequent ARF.