Liao et al reported a clinical prediction rule for the diagnosis of avian influenza A (H7N9). This is suitable for diagnosis in the Emergency Department or other acute care setting. The authors are from Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Beijing.
Patient selection: adult with respiratory symptoms during outbreak of avian influenza
Parameters:
(1) sex
(2) history of poultry exposure
(3) hemoptysis
(4) shortness of breath
(5) fever
Parameter
Finding
Points
sex
female
0
male
10
history of poultry exposure
absent
0
present
52
hemoptysis
absent
0
present
19
shortness of breath
absent
0
present
24
fever
absent
0
present
32
total score =
= SUM(points for all 5 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 137
• A score < 43 indicates low risk.
• A patient with a score >= 43 is high risk and proceeded to step 2.
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