Fautrel's diagnostic criteria for adult-onset Still's disease is a clinical tool designed to aid in the diagnosis of this rare systemic inflammatory disorder. The criteria are particularly useful in distinguishing adult-onset Still's disease from other conditions with similar presentations, such as infections, malignancies, and other rheumatic diseases.
The criteria consist of both major and minor components. The major components include spiking fever of 39 degrees Celsius or higher, arthralgia, transient erythema, pharyngitis, polymorphonuclear cells constituting 80% or more of the total white blood cell count, and glycosylated ferritin levels of 20% or less. Each of these major components contributes significantly to the overall score.
Minor components of the criteria include a maculopapular rash and leukocytosis of 10,000/mm**3 or more. These minor components, while less significant than the major components, still contribute to the overall diagnostic score.
The diagnostic criteria are considered met if the total score is 8 or higher. If the total score is less than 8, the diagnostic criteria for adult-onset Still's disease are not considered met. This scoring system allows for a standardized approach to diagnosing adult-onset Still's disease, facilitating early and accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Reference
Bruno Fautrel, Emmanuel Zing, Jean-Louis Golmard et al. Proposal for a new set of classification criteria for adult-onset still disease. Medicine (Baltimore). 2002 May;81(3):194-200.
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