OBJECTIVE
To define the population-based 3-year period prevalence of repeated group A β-hemolytic
streptococcal (GABHS) pharyngitis episodes in children between 4 and 15 years of age.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Residents of Rochester, Minn (age, 4-15 years), who had 3 or more GABHS pharyngitis
episodes in 1 year, at least 1 month apart, between January 1, 1996, and December
31, 1998, were identified using the resources of the Rochester Epidemiology Project
(N=536). Pharyngitis episodes (evidence of a sore throat with or without presence
of fever) followed by either a positive rapid streptococcus test result or a positive
plate culture test result were considered positive GABHS episodes. Age- and sex-specific
prevalence rates were calculated, assuming that all residents 4 to 15 years of age
in Rochester during 1996 to 1998 were at risk.
RESULTS
A total of 208 children met our definition for repeated GABHS episodes between 1996
and 1998 and were included in this study. Approximately 1% of children between the
ages of 4 and 15 years experienced repeated GABHS pharyngitis episodes between 1996
and 1998. This estimate increased to approximately 2% among children 4 to 6 years
of age and decreased to 0.1% among children 13 to 15 years old.
CONCLUSION
A relatively small proportion (1%) of children between 4 and 15 years of age experienced
repeated GABHS episodes in a 3-year period; however, this proportion represents a
substantial number of children who are affected at the population level. Given the
increased costs associated with treating repeated GABHS episodes, further studies
are necessary to determine how best to reduce episodes and treatment costs in this
age group.
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© 2006 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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- Strep Throat Over and Over: How Frequent? How Real?Mayo Clinic ProceedingsVol. 81Issue 9
- PreviewAcute pharyngitis is one of the most common illnesses for which children visit pediatricians and other primary care physicians.1,2 Between 15% and 30% of pharyngitis episodes are reported to be associated with group A streptococcus (GAS)3; some of these patients experience repetitive symptomatic bouts of sore throat associated with positive test results for GAS. In this issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, St. Sauver et al4 used the database of the Rochester Epidemiology Project to estimate a population-based period prevalence of recurring GAS pharyngitis episodes for the years 1996 to 1998.
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