The Tel-Hashomer diagnostic criteria is a clinical calculator used for the diagnosis of Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF). FMF is a genetic disorder that causes recurrent episodes of fever and inflammation, primarily affecting populations of Mediterranean descent such as Armenians, Arabs, Turks, and Jews.
The Tel-Hashomer criteria are divided into two categories: major and minor. Major criteria include typical attacks of fever and serositis, response to colchicine treatment, and amyloidosis of AA type without a known cause. Minor criteria include recurrent febrile episodes, erysipelas-like erythema, and a positive family history of FMF.
The clinical utility of this calculator is to aid in the diagnosis of FMF, particularly in cases where genetic testing is inconclusive or unavailable. It is also used to guide treatment decisions, as a positive diagnosis may warrant the use of colchicine, a drug that can prevent FMF attacks and complications.
There are no specific exclusion criteria for the use of the Tel-Hashomer diagnostic criteria. However, it should be noted that this calculator is less effective in populations where FMF is less common, and it may not be as accurate in diagnosing atypical or milder forms of the disease.
Reference
M Pras. Familial Mediterranean fever: from the clinical syndrome to the cloning of the pyrin gene. Scand J Rheumatol. 1998;27(2):92-7.
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