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Consensus in diagnostic definitions for bone or joint infections in children by a Delphi method with European French‐speaking experts
Author(s) -
Mitha Ayoub,
Boulyana Mohamed,
Hue Valérie,
Pruvost Isabelle,
Martinot Alain,
Dubos François
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2012.02716.x
Subject(s) - medicine , osteomyelitis , delphi method , delphi , medical diagnosis , septic arthritis , joint infections , epidemiology , arthritis , bone infection , intensive care medicine , pediatrics , surgery , pathology , arthroplasty , computer science , artificial intelligence , periprosthetic , operating system
Aim: Various diagnostic criteria have been proposed for bone or joint infection. This study used a Delphi process to determine the consensual definitions for arthritis, osteomyelitis and bone or joint infections in general in children. Methods: A group of European French‐speaking experts participated in an email Delphi process. Definitions were identified during a systematic search of the PubMed database. Five definitions of arthritis, eight for osteomyelitis and five for bone or joint infections in general were included in a three‐round process. We sought two sorts of definitions: definitions for ‘definitive’ diagnoses for epidemiological studies and definitions for ‘probable’ diagnoses for clinical or therapeutic studies, considering enlarged criteria. Results: Ten experts were involved in the Delphi process. A consensus was reached for a definitive diagnosis of arthritis, osteomyelitis and bone or joint infections in general. A consensus was also reached for a probable diagnosis of bone or joint infections in general. Conclusion: This Delphi process made consensus definitions and criteria available for bone or joint infections that could improve the comparability of both epidemiological and clinical studies. This is a first step to standardise diagnostic criteria and distinguish definitive and probable bone or joint infections in children.