Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2018 Jan;61(1):35-41. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2017.00640.

Usefulness of Centor Score to Diagnosis of Group a Streptococcal Pharyngitis and Decision Making of Antibiotics Use

• Lee HR
• Kim JT
• Lee JY
• Shin JM
• Kim JW
• Lee BD
• Hwang K

• KMID: 2436423
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2017.00640

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
This study aims to verify the usefulness of Centor scores to diagnose the Group A Streptococcal pharyngitis.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
The subjects of this study were 379 patients who had been examined by the rapid antigen detection test (RADT) for Group A Streptococcus. We analyzed their medical records and laboratory test results retrospectively and compared the results of Centor symptom scores with those of RADT. Then we analyzed the association of RADT, the Centor score and the laboratory test results statistically.
RESULTS
There were no correlation between the RADT results and fever, cough, tonsillar enlargement, nasal symptoms, myalgia or chilling (p>0.05). In the RADT positive group, there were more patients with tonsillar exudate, neck lymph node enlargement, tenderness and pharyngeal abscess formation significantly (p<0.05). The Centor score and C-reactive protein were significantly higher in the RADT positive group (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
The results of this study suggest that Centor symptom scores can be used to determine which antibiotics to use. The Centor score system can help reduce medical costs and detect the problematic Group A Streptococcal pharyngitis.

Keyword

Centor score; Pharyngitis; Rapid antigen detection test; Streptococcus pyogenes

MeSH Terms

Abscess
Anti-Bacterial Agents*
C-Reactive Protein
Cough
Decision Making*
Diagnosis*
Exudates and Transudates
Fever
Humans
Lymph Nodes
Medical Records
Methods
Myalgia
Neck
Pharyngitis*
Retrospective Studies
Streptococcus
Streptococcus pyogenes
Anti-Bacterial Agents
C-Reactive Protein