Evaluation of Clinical Parameters To Predict Mycobacterium Tuberculosis in Inpatients. Arch Intern Med/Vol.160,2000

Clinical Predictors Points
TB risk factors or chronic symptoms 4
Positive PPD tuberculin test result 5
Shortness of breath -3
Crackles noted during examination -3
Upper-lobe consolidation 6
Temperature < 38.5 deg C 0
38.5 <= Temperature <= 39.0 deg C 3
Temperature > 39.0 deg C 6

Among adult patients with suspected respiratory TB, a score of 1 or higher was chosen to indicate the need for respiratory isolation (98% sensitivity and 46% specificity). Using the estimated in-hospital prevalence of the disease of 2%, the positive predictive value was 3.3% and the negative predictive value was 99.9%.

*Chronic Symptoms  (one or more of the following) *lasting more than 3 months



TB Risk Factors (one or more of the following)
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