| Methods |
Allocation to treatment group from 1971‐1984 was done on the basis of odd or even hospital numbers. Allocation to treatment group was by random permutations from 1985 to1991. |
| Participants |
249 patients 3‐19 years old, male : female ratio 1.1. |
| Interventions |
1. Benzathine penicillin G i.m. 3‐weekly.
2.Benzathine penicillin G i.m. 4 weekly |
| Outcomes |
Streptococcal throat infections
Rheumatic fever recurrence |
| Notes |
Duration of follow up was 12 years.
The paper summarises the results of the 12‐year prospective follow‐up study which is reported at different stages as 3 separate publications (Lue et al, 1986; Lue et al, 1994; Lue et al., 1996). Patients were initially studied in the cardiac clinic but during the course of the study, about 50% of them were followed up in the rheumatic fever clinic. Fourteen were excluded within 2 months of entry into the study (8 drop outs and 6 deaths). |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment (selection bias) |
High risk |
C ‐ Inadequate |
