Description

Mylotte et al reported a simple score for identifying a patient at risk for pulmonary tuberculosis. This can help to identify a patient who should be placed into isolation prior to a definitive diagnosis. The authors are from the State University of New York at Buffalo.


Patient selection: possible pulmonary tuberculosis

 

Parameters:

(1) sputum smear for acid-fast bacilli

(2) localized chest radiograph findings

(3) residence in a correctional facility

(4) history of weight loss

 

Parameter

Finding

Points

sputum smear for AFB

negative

0

 

positive

3

localized chest radiograph findings

absent

0

 

present

2

correctional facility

no

0

 

yes

2

history of weight loss

no

0

 

yes

1

 

total score =

= SUM(points for all 4 parameter)

 

Interpretation:

minimum score: 0

maximum score: 8

The higher the score the greater the risk of pulmonary tuberculosis.

 

Performance:

The area under the ROC curve is 0.86.


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