Evaluation of clinical features scoring system as screening tool for influenza A (H1N1) in epidemic situations

Influenza A (H1N1) hit the headlines in recent times and created mass hysteria and general panic. The high cost and non-availability of diagnostic laboratory tests for swine flu, especially in the developing countries underlines the need of having a cheaper, easily available, yet reasonably accurate screening test.

This study was carried out to develop a clinical feature-based scoring system (CFSS) for influenza A (H1N1) and to evaluate its suitability as a screening tool when large numbers of influenza-like illness cases are suspect.

Clinical-record based study, carried out retrospectively in post-pandemic period on subject's case-sheets who had been quarantined at IG International Airport's quarantine center at Delhi.

Clinical scoring of each suspected case was done by studying their case record sheet and compared with the results of RT-PCR. RT-PCR was used to confirm the diagnosis (Gold Standard).

We calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the clinical feature-based scoring system (the proposed new screening tool) at different cut-off values. The most discriminant cut-off value was determined by plotting the ROC curve.

Of the 638 suspected cases, 127 (20%) were confirmed to have H1N1 by RT-PCR examination. On the basis of ROC, the most discriminant clinical feature score for diagnosing Influenza A was found to be 7, which yielded sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values of 86%, 88%, 64%, and 96%, respectively.

The clinical features scoring system (CFSS) can be used as a valid and cost-effective tool for screening swine flu (influenza A (H1N1)) cases from large number of influenza-like illness suspects.