Burch-Wartofsky Point Scale (BWPS) for Thyrotoxicosis

Q: All of the following are parts of diagnostic criteria for thyroid storm except?

A) Thermoregulatory dysfunction Temperature
B) Central nervous system effects
C) Gastrointestinal-hepatic dysfunction
D) Thrombocytopenia
E) Cardiovascular dysfunction


Answer: D

 Diagnostic criteria for thyroid storm popularly known as Burch-Wartofsky Point Scale (BWPS) for Thyrotoxicosis consist of following six components

1. Thermoregulatory dysfunction 
2. Central nervous system effects 
3. Gastrointestinal-hepatic dysfunction 
4. Cardiovascular dysfunction 
5. Heart failure
6. Precipitant history

A score of

• 45 or more is highly suggestive of thyroid storm, 
• 25 to 44 supports the diagnosis, and 
• below 25 makes thyroid storm unlikely.

An online calculator can be seen here http://bit.ly/2mYPhKx



Reference:

Burch HB, Wartofsky L. Life-threatening thyrotoxicosis. Thyroid storm. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am 1993; 22:263.