Abstract
BACKGROUND: To build a diagnostic nomogram for differentiating between renal tuberculosis (RTB) and nontuberculous renal infection. METHODS: Eligible patients were randomly categorized into derivation and validation cohorts (7:3). Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to filter variables and select predictors. Multivariate logistic regression was employed for model construction and nomogram were used for visualization. The nomogram was evaluated by Concordance index (C-index), calibration curves and decision curve analysis (DCA). RESULTS: Overall, 194 patients were included. The derivation and validation cohorts included 75 and 61 patients and 32 and 26 patients with RTB and nontuberculous renal infection, respectively. We included previous TB history, CRP levels, fever, chronic infection and hydronephrosis in the construction of the nomogram. A nomogram was developed and validated. This nomogram exhibited good discrimination and calibration. The C-indices of this nomogram in the derivation and validation cohorts was 0.99 and 0.98 (95% confidence intervals, 0.97-1.00 and 0.96-1.01), respectively. DCA revealed that the proposed nomogram was useful for the differentiation. CONCLUSION: The nomogram can differentiate between RTB and nontuberculous renal infection.