Keith Edwards score for diagnosis of tuberculosis.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the applicability of Keith Edwards scoring system for the diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis. METHODS: One hundred and one children aged 2 months to 12 years who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were evaluated with Keith Edwards score. The diagnosis of tuberculosis by Keith Edwards score and the definitive reference were compared. RESULTS: Among the 65 children diagnosed as having tuberculosis by the definitive reference, 59 had a Keith Edwards score of >7. Four children had a score of >7 but were not suffering from tuberculosis. The sensitivity and specificity of this score have been found to be 91% and 88% respectively. CONCLUSION: In select population with indicative clinical features, Keith Edwards score can be a definitive guideline for the diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis. However, more studies are required for the validation of this clinical score before it can be used as a definitive diagnostic reference standard for tuberculosis.