ArticleBMJ global health2025
The economic burden of rheumatic heart disease in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.
Article in BMJ global health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Rheumatic Heart Disease in Europe: Insights from a Pilot Screening Study and a Scoping Review.Global heart · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
9 authors.
Funding
Abstract
introductionAcute rheumatic fever (ARF) is an immune response triggered by group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections, predominantly affecting children aged 5-15 years. Untreated ARF can progress to rheumatic heart disease (RHD), causing complications such as valve stenosis, heart failure and stroke. Despite preventability using antibiotics, RHD persists as a major health concern in many Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) countries. Beyond its health implications, RHD poses a significant economic burden on societies, emphasising the need for comprehensive solutions.
methodsAn economic analysis was conducted to estimate the burden of RHD in 22 countries of the EMR using data from secondary databases and existing research. The analysis modelled the future disease burden, using a scenario of inaction and considering population growth and changes in population structure. Economic losses associated with RHD were explored through five pathways, including the (a) direct healthcare costs of preventing and treating RHD and its complications, (b) cost of premature deaths, (c) cost of absenteeism in adult patients, (d) cost of absenteeism in caregivers and (e) future productivity losses due to unfulfilled potential in children.
resultsThe estimated economic burden of ARF, RHD and its related complications in the EMR was US$5.8 billion in 2020, amounting to 0.20% of the combined gross domestic product. Indirect costs accounted for 78% of the burden. 192 million prevalent cases and 1.5 million deaths were expected by 2050. The burden is projected to increase to US$166 billion between 2020 and 2050.
conclusionThe disease burden of RHD is rising in the EMR, widening health inequalities and straining resources. Careful planning and resource allocation based on economic evaluations are crucial to mitigate this issue. Regional governments must implement measures to address social determinants, enhance community awareness, improve surveillance and provide accessible healthcare services to effectively tackle this challenge.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.