Stanhope J M, Chilvers C D, Aitchison W R
N Z Med J. 1981 Aug 26;94(690):139-40.
Follow-up of 427 cases initially diagnosed in Wairoa county during 1962-76 as rheumatic fever and/or rheumatic heart disease showed that 40 had neither condition and 51 had chronic rheumatic heart disease only. Sources of misdiagnosis were cardiac (e.g. congenital heart disease, onset of atrial fibrillation), joint (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, gout), streptococcal infections not proceeding to rheumatic activity and febrile conditions of childhood. Awareness of the problems, some strengthening of the diagnostic criteria, and the evolution of the illness with time would serve to correct misdiagnosis.
对1962年至1976年间在怀罗阿县初诊为风湿热和/或风湿性心脏病的427例患者进行随访发现，其中40例既无上述病症，51例仅患有慢性风湿性心脏病。误诊的原因包括心脏方面（如先天性心脏病、房颤发作）、关节方面（如类风湿关节炎、痛风）、未发展为风湿活动的链球菌感染以及儿童期发热性疾病。认识到这些问题、适当强化诊断标准以及随着时间推移病情的演变将有助于纠正误诊。
