To compare the sensitivity of 6 sets of criteria proposed for adult Still's disease in published papers in a well defined patient population.
For inclusion we required a diagnosis of adult Still's disease established by a senior internist or senior rheumatologist. Sensitivity was evaluated in 65 new cases of adult Still's disease from a multicenter study based on signs and symptoms (1) in the first 6 months of illness, (2) in the same period in patients followed more than one year (52 patients), and (3) at any time in patients followed more than one year.
The Yamaguchi criteria are most sensitive (93.5%), followed by those of Calabro and Londino. Medsger et al (80.6%), Kahn (69.3%), Reginato (55.2%), and Goldman (43.7%). Sensitivity was high even from the first 6 months, except for the 2 less sensitive criteria.
Awareness of these discrepancies in adult Still's disease criteria are crucial to ensure comparability of different series of this condition.