Early stoppage of secondary prophylaxis of rheumatic fever in adults?

Early stoppage of secondary prophylaxis of rheumatic fever in adults?

In a study by S Krishnaswami, G Joseph, S T Chandy, G Rajendiran and T U Zacharias [1] 2340 adult patients aged more than 26 years with rheumatic heart disease were evaluated. Benzathine penicillin was discontinued and they were followed up for 1 – 9 years (Mean 3 years). There was recurrence of rheumatic fever in only 5 patients (0.21%), which is very low. Hence the authors recommend rheumatic prophylaxis to patients over 26 years on individual case to case basis only.

Reference

1. S Krishnaswami, G Joseph, S T Chandy, G Rajendiran, T U Zacharias. Rheumatic fever chemoprophylaxis in adults. J Assoc Physicians India. 1998 Jul;46(7):593-4.