Canadian Acute Respiratory Illness and Flu Scale (CARIFS) for clinical detection of influenza in children

Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2014 Oct;53(12):1174-80. doi: 10.1177/0009922814542608. Epub 2014 Jul 8.

Abstract

Background: Validated clinical scales, such as the Canadian Acute Respiratory Illness and Flu Scale (CARIFS), have not been used to differentiate influenza (FLU) from other respiratory viruses.

Methods: Secondary analysis of a prospective cohort presenting to the emergency department (ED) with an influenza-like infection from 2008 to 2010. Subjects were children aged 0 to 19 years who had a venipuncture and respiratory virus polymerase chain reaction. Demographics and CARIFS items were assessed during the ED visit; comparisons were made between FLU and non-FLU subjects.

Results: The 203 subjects had median age 30.5 months; 61.6% were male. Comorbid conditions (51.2%) were common. FLU was identified in 26.6%, and were older than non-FLU patients (69.7 vs 47.9 months, P = .02). Demographic, household factors, and mean CARIFS score did not differ between FLU (33.7), and non-FLU (32.0) (mean difference 1.6, 95% CI: -2.0 to 5.2) groups.

Conclusions: CARIFS cannot discriminate between FLU and non-FLU infection in ED children with influenza-like infection.

Keywords: clinical scores; emergency department; influenza.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Comorbidity
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Emergency Service, Hospital
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Influenza, Human / diagnosis*
  • Male
  • Orthomyxoviridae / isolation & purification
  • Severity of Illness Index*