Proposal for a simplified approach to suspected meningitis case diagnosis: experience report of a reference service in the state of Piauí, Brazil, 2007-2016.

Objective: to describe a simplified protocol to diagnose suspected cases of meningitis.

Methods: this is an experience report on the approach to diagnosing meningitis at the Tropical Diseases Reference Service in the state of Piauí, Brazil, between 2007 and 2016; information was extracted from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN) and the laboratory record book; the chi-square test was used to compare epidemiological surveillance indicators based on final meningitis case classification; the Phi coefficient was used to verify the correlation between presumed diagnosis and laboratory-confirmed diagnosis.

Results: considering the 4,096 cases of meningitis investigated, there was a reduction in the generic classification of meningitis cases from 72% to 47% (p<0.001); indicated laboratory investigation profile showed agreement with final meningitis case diagnosis. (rf=0.66; p<0.001).

Conclusion: a greater proportion of specific etiologic diagnosis of meningitis was achieved while the protocol was in use.