Predicting acute maxillary sinusitis in a general practice population
- 22 July 1995
- Vol. 311 (6999), 233-236
- https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.311.6999.233
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of symptoms, signs, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C reactive protein for acute maxillary sinusitis. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Danish general practice in cooperation with the otorhinolaryngology and neuroradiology department at Aalborg County Hospital. Subjects: 174 patients aged 18-65 years who were suspected by the general practitioner of having acute maxillary sinusitis. >Main outcome measure: The independent association of symptoms, signs, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and concentration of C reactive protein in patients with acute maxillary sinusitis defined as purulent or mucopurulent antral aspirate. Results: Only raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate (P=0.01) and raised C reactive protein (P=0.007) were found to be independently associated with a diagnosis of acute maxillary sinusitis. The combination of the two variables had a sensitivity of 0.82 and a specificity of 0.57. Conclusion: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C reactive protein are useful diagnostic criteria for acute maxillary sinusitis.Keywords
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