Predictors of suppurative complications for acute sore throat in primary care: prospective clinical cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To document whether elements of a structured history and examination predict adverse outcome of acute sore throat.

Design

Prospective clinical cohort.

Setting

Primary care.

Participants

14,610 adults with acute sore throat (≤ 2 weeks' duration).

Main outcome measures

Common suppurative complications (quinsy or peritonsillar abscess, otitis media, sinusitis, impetigo or cellulitis) and reconsultation with new or unresolving symptoms within one month.

Results

Complications were assessed reliably (inter-rater κ=0.95). 1.3% (177/13,445) of participants developed complications overall and 14.2% (1889/13,288) reconsulted with new or unresolving symptoms. Independent predictors of complications were severe tonsillar inflammation (documented amo

SUBMITTER: Little P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3898431 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature