The McAdam criteria is a clinical calculator used for the diagnosis of relapsing polychondritis, a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of inflammation and deterioration of cartilage. This calculator is applicable to patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of relapsing polychondritis, such as pain, redness, swelling, and tenderness in various parts of the body where cartilage is present.
The McAdam criteria is clinically useful in guiding the diagnosis of relapsing polychondritis. It requires the presence of at least three of the six criteria: recurrent chondritis of both auricles, non-erosive inflammatory polyarthritis, chondritis of nasal cartilages, ocular inflammation, respiratory tract chondritis, and audio-vestibular damage.
Exclusion criteria for the use of this calculator include the presence of other conditions that can mimic relapsing polychondritis, such as Wegener's granulomatosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, it is important to rule out these conditions before applying the McAdam criteria.
Reference
L P McAdam, M A O'Hanlan, R Bluestone et al. Relapsing polychondritis: prospective study of 23 patients and a review of the literature. Medicine (Baltimore). 1976 May;55(3):193-215.
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