Diagnostic Criteria of Ulcerative Pyoderma Gangrenosum A Delphi Consensus of International Experts JAMA DERMATOLOGY Maverakis, E., Ma, C., Shinkai, K., Fiorentino, D., Callen, J. P., Wollina, U., Marzano, A., Wallach, D., Kim, K., Schadt, C., Ormerod, A., Fung, M. A., Steel, A., Patel, F., Qin, R., Craig, F., Williams, H. C., Powell, F., Merleev, A., Cheng, M. Y. 2018; 154 (4): 461–66

Abstract

Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare inflammatory skin condition that is difficult to diagnose. Currently, it is a "diagnosis of exclusion," a definition not compatible with clinical decision making or inclusion for clinical trials.To propose and validate diagnostic criteria for ulcerative pyoderma gangrenosum.Diagnostic criteria were created following a Delphi consensus exercise using the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method. The criteria were validated against peer-reviewed established cases of pyoderma gangrenosum and mimickers using k-fold cross-validation with methods of multiple imputation.Delphi exercise yielded 1 major criterion-biopsy of ulcer edge demonstrating neutrophilic infiltrate-and 8 minor criteria: (1) exclusion of infection; (2) pathergy; (3) history of inflammatory bowel disease or inflammatory arthritis; (4) history of papule, pustule, or vesicle ulcerating within 4 days of appearing; (5) peripheral erythema, undermining border, and tenderness at ulceration site; (6) multiple ulcerations, at least 1 on an anterior lower leg; (7) cribriform or "wrinkled paper" scar(s) at healed ulcer sites; and (8) decreased ulcer size within 1 month of initiating immunosuppressive medication(s). Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that 4 of 8 minor criteria maximized discrimination, yielding sensitivity and specificity of 86% and 90%, respectively.This Delphi exercise produced 1 major criterion and 8 minor criteria for the diagnosis of ulcerative pyoderma gangrenosum. The criteria may serve as a guideline for clinicians, allowing for fewer misdiagnoses and improved patient selection for clinical trials.

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