Pan-American League of Associations for Rheumatology–Central American, Caribbean and Andean Rheumatology Association Consensus-Conference Endorsements and Recommendations on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Chikungunya-Related Inflammatory Arthropathies in Latin America

Background/Objective Although mortality rates related with chikungunya (CHIK) outbreaks in Latin America's (LA's) dengue-endemic rural and new urban regions are low, dealing with symptoms and sequelae can both produce a significant burden of disease and diminish quality of life—from many months to years—after the acute phase of the infection, with a significant impact on public and individual health. The aim of this work was to establish Pan-American League of Associations for Rheumatology–Central American, Caribbean and Andean Rheumatology Association (ACCAR) consensus-conference endorsements and recommendations on the diagnosis and treatment of CHIK-related inflammatory arthropathies transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in LA. Methods Based on the Consensus Development Conference format, a panel of ACCAR rheumatologist voting members (n = 10) took part in this Pan-American League of Associations for Rheumatology initiative. Experts voted from a previous content analysis of the medical literature on CHIK, 4 subsequent topic conferences, and a workshop. Consensus represents the majority agreement (≥80%) achieved for each recommendation. Results The experts' panel reached 4 overarching principles: (1) CHIK virus (CHIKV) is a re-emergent virus transmitted by 2 species of mosquitoes: A. aegypti and A. albopictus; (2) CHIKV caused massive outbreaks in LA; (3) chronic CHIKV infection produces an inflammatory joint disease that, in some cases, can last...
Source: JCR: Journal of Clinical Rheumatology - Category: Rheumatology Tags: Practice and Health Policy Source Type: research