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Are hospitalised acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease cases notified to the Western Australian Register in the Pilbara region? A retrospective review, 2016–2023

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) are prevalent among First Nations peoples in Australia. In Western Australia (WA), notification of ARF and RHD to the WA RHD register is mandatory and supports follow-up care. However, previous studies from rural WA have reported incomplete notification, suggesting gaps in surveillance and hospital-registry linkage.

Citation:
Du A, Stacey I, Katzenellenbogen JM, Glasson P, et al. Are hospitalised acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease cases notified to the Western Australian Register in the Pilbara region? A retrospective review, 2016–2023. Intern Med J. 2026.

Keywords:
Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; cardiology; registry; rheumatic fever; rheumatic heart disease

Abstract:
Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) are prevalent among First Nations peoples in Australia. In Western Australia (WA), notification of ARF and RHD to the WA RHD register is mandatory and supports follow-up care. However, previous studies from rural WA have reported incomplete notification, suggesting gaps in surveillance and hospital-registry linkage.