June 2012. Volume 8. Number 2

The signs and symptoms are not accurate enough for diagnosing streptococcal pharyngitis

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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AVC | Critically appraised articles

Shaikh N,  Swaminathan N, Hooper EG. Accuracy and Precision of the Signs and Symptoms of Streptococcal Pharyngitis in Children: A Systematic Review. J Pediatr 2012;160:487-93.
Reviewers: Ochoa Sangrador C1, Andrés de Llano JM2.
1Servicio de Pediatría. Hospital Virgen de la Concha. Zamora. España.
2Servicio de Pediatría. Hospital General del Río Carrión. Palencia. España.
Correspondence: Carlos Ochoa Sangrador. Email: cochoas@meditex.es
Reception date: 15/04/2012
Acceptance date: 16/04/2012
Publication date: 19/04/2012

Abstract

Authors’ conclusions: symptoms and signs, either individually or combined into prediction rules, cannot be used to definitively diagnose or rule out streptococcal pharyngitis.

Reviewers’ commentary: the lack of accuracy of signs and symptoms of strep throat should be taken into account when prescribing antibiotics. We must change our previous behavior of widespread use of antibiotics to an individual aproach, in which using antibiotics is only justified in cases with microbiological confirmation. Symptomatic treatment without antibiotics or microbiological testing may be acceptable in cases with medium to low clinical risk.

How to cite this article

Ochoa Sangrador C, Andrés de Llano JM. Los signos y síntomas clínicos no son suficientemente válidos para diagnosticar la faringitis estreptocócica. Evid Pediatr. 2012;8:33.

AVC | Critically appraised articles

Shaikh N,  Swaminathan N, Hooper EG. Accuracy and Precision of the Signs and Symptoms of Streptococcal Pharyngitis in Children: A Systematic Review. J Pediatr 2012;160:487-93.
Reviewers: Ochoa Sangrador C1, Andrés de Llano JM2.
1Servicio de Pediatría. Hospital Virgen de la Concha. Zamora. España.
2Servicio de Pediatría. Hospital General del Río Carrión. Palencia. España.
Correspondence: Carlos Ochoa Sangrador. Email: cochoas@meditex.es
Reception date: 15/04/2012
Acceptance date: 16/04/2012
Publication date: 19/04/2012

How to cite this article

Ochoa Sangrador C, Andrés de Llano JM. Los signos y síntomas clínicos no son suficientemente válidos para diagnosticar la faringitis estreptocócica. Evid Pediatr. 2012;8:33.

References

  1. Sangrador C, Vilela Fernández M, Cueto Baelo M, Eiros Bouza JM, Inglada Galiana L; Grupo Español de Estudios de los Tratamientos Antibióticos. Adecuación del tratamiento de la faringoamigdalitis aguda a la evidencia cientifica. An Pediatr (Barc). 2003;59:31-40.
  2. Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network. Management of sore throat and indications for tonsillectomy. A national clinical guideline. NHS Scotland Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network. Edinburgh. Disponible en: http://www.sign.ac.uk/pdf/sign117.pdf
  3. García Vera C, Aparicio Rodrigo M, Ochoa Sangrador C. Amigdalitis estreptocócica, tratar o no tratar, esa es la cuestión. En: AEPap ed. Curso de Actualización Pediatría 2011. Madrid: Exlibris Ediciones; 2011. p. 91-100.
19/04/2012

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