Which of the following is one of the seven variables included in the SCORTEN severity-of-illness score for toxic epidermal necrolysis?

• A Platelet count below 100,000/mm3
• B Age above 60 years
• C Systolic blood pressure below 90 mm Hg
• D Heart rate of 120 beats per minute or more ✓

Explanation

SCORTEN assigns one point each for age over 40 years, presence of malignancy, heart rate 120/min or more, initial epidermal detachment over 10% body surface area, serum urea above 28 mg/dL, serum glucose above 252 mg/dL, and bicarbonate below 20 mEq/L. Scores range from 0 to 7 and predict mortality from about 3% at 0-1 points to over 90% at 5 or more. Thrombocytopenia and hypotension are not SCORTEN variables.

Reference: Fitzpatrick's Dermatology, 9th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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