Table 1.
Studies evaluating diagnostic algorithms for discriminating between septic arthritis and transient synovitis in children
| Study | Predictor variables | Number of variables and probability of septic arthritis | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
| Kocher et al., 1999 [6] | WB WCC > 12 × 109, ESR ≥ 40 mm/hr, temperature > 38.5°C | < 0.2% | 3% | 40% | 93% | 99.6% | |
| Kocher et al., 2004 [5] | WB WCC > 12 × 109, ESR ≥ 40 mm/hr, temperature > 38.5°C | 2% | 9.5% | 35% | 73% | 93% | |
| Luhmann et al., 2004 [8] | WB WCC > 12 × 109, ESR ≥ 40 mm/hr, temperature > 38.5°C | 59% | |||||
| Caird et al., 2006 [3] | WB WCC > 12 × 109, ESR ≥ 40 mm/hr, temperature > 38.5°C, CRP ≥ 20 mg/L | 17% | 37% | 62% | 83% | 93% | 98% |
| Sultan and Hughes, 2010 [12] | WB WCC > 12 × 109, ESR ≥ 40 mm/hr, temperature > 38.5°C, CRP ≥ 20 mg/L | 2.3% | 5% | 11% | 22% | 39% | 60% |
| Singhal et al., 2011 [11] | WB WCC > 12 × 109, Temperature > 38.5°C, CRP ≥ 20 mg/L | 1% | 87% | ||||
Shown are the diagnostic variables examined and the probability of septic arthritis given increasing numbers of predictor variables; WB = whole blood; WCC = white blood cell count; ESR = erythrocyte sedimentation rate; CRP = C-reactive protein.