Table 1 Comparison of new scorecard with other scoring systems used in diagnosing group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis
From: The usefulness of a clinical 'scorecard' in managing patients with sore throat in general practice
Study author (year) | Features included in final algorithm | Age group (years) | Sample size | Sensitivity (%) | Specificity (%) | Positive predictive value(%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The current scorecard | Ten criteria (See Figure 1) | 5 yrs to 99 yrs | 106 | 93.3 | 63.2 | 50 |
Breese‡ (1977)15 | Season (late winter or early spring) Age (5-10 years) Elevated white blood cell count Temperature > 38°C Sore throat Absence of cough Headache Pharyngeal erythema or oedema or exudates Tender or enlarged cervical lymph nodes | Children | 670 | 68 | 85 | 84 |
Centor†(1981)16 | History of fever Tonsillar exudates Tender and enlarged anterior cervical lymph nodes Absence of cough | > 15 | 234 | 65-83 | 67-91 | 56 |