Predictors of XXXX severity: A systematic review.

@entity1 @entity697 @entity548 @entity292 @entity733 @entity4436 @entity850 @entity1744 @entity298 @entity479
BACKGROUND: @entity4436 is a common condition with a broad spectrum of disease severity. A scoring system has been proposed for diagnosing @entity4436 , and a number of scoring systems exist for predicting prognosis associated with severe complications of @entity4436 such as @entity298 . However, predicting disease severity has not received as much attention. Therefore, the aim of this review was to identify the factors that are predictive of severe @entity697 . METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed using Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library to identify papers that evaluated factors predictive of severe @entity4436 . Severe @entity4436 was defined as complicated @entity4436 (associated with @entity548 , @entity733 , phlegmon, perforation, purulent/ @entity298 , @entity850 , @entity292 , or @entity1744 ) or @entity4436 that resulted in prolonged hospital admission, surgical intervention or death. RESULTS: Twenty one articles were included. Studies were categorised into those that identified @entity1 characteristics (n  =  12), medications (n  =  5), biochemical markers (n  =  8) or imaging (n  =  3) as predictors. Predictors for severe @entity4436 included first episode of @entity4436 , co-morbidities (Charlson score  >=   3), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, @entity479 use, a high CRP on admission and severe disease on radiological imaging. Age and gender were not associated with disease severity. CONCLUSION: A number of predictors exist for identifying severe @entity4436 , and CT remains the gold standard for diagnosing complicated disease. @entity1 who present with identified risk factors for severe disease warrant early imaging, closer in- @entity1 observation and a lower threshold for early surgical intervention. @entity1 without these factors may be suitable for outpatient-based treatment.
