OVERVIEW OF SCORING SYSTEMS IN DIAGNOSING GROUP A STREPTOCOCCAL PHARYNGITIS
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Abstract
Objectives: Analysis of scoring systems in diagnosing group A streptococcal pharyngitis. Study Design: Scoping review. Methods: We searched the database on PubMed, Medline, the electronic library of Hanoi Medical University from 2010 to 2022 related to scoring systems in diagnosing group A streptococcal pharyngitis. Results: 40 studies were included in this review. The group of patients with Centor score ≥ 3 accounted for the highest percentage of patients with GAS infection. The sensitivity of the Centor scale is inversely proportional to the Centor score. Compared with the Centor system, the sensitivity of the McIsaac system is higher and ranges from 0.7-0.9. The rate of antibiotic use was reduced by 35-50% in the patient group clinically diagnosed based on the Centor score. Conclusions: Although the Centor and McIsaac scores are not sufficient to establish a diagnosis of GAS, especially in children, with reasonable sensitivity and high specificity, these scales can assist physicians in making the diagnosis of group A strep throat.
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Keywords
“pharyngitis”, “sore throat”, “tonsillitis”, “pharyngotonsillitis”, “Streptococcus pyogenes”, “Group A-haemolytic Streptococcus pyogenes”, “streptococcal pharyngitis
References
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