Pandas/Pans is a clinical diagnosis based on symptomatic presentation. There is blood work that is supportive of a diagnosis but there are too many variables involved to rely solely on the lab results.
The current diagnostic criteria for PANDAS includes the following five symptoms:
- Presence of obsessive-compulsive disorder and/or a tic disorder
- Paedriatic onset of symptoms (age 3 years to puberty)
- Episodic course of symptom severity
- Association with group A Beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection (a positive throat culture for strep or history of Scarlet Fever)
- Association with neurological abnormalities (motoric hyperactivity, or adventitious movements, such as choreiform movements)
Diagnosis Criteria for PANS
Since a diagnosis of PANS implies no specific cause, clinicians will have to evaluate and treat each affected youth on a case-by-case basis; however, the current diagnostic criteria for PANS includes the following three components:
- Abrupt, dramatic onset of OCD or anorexia
- Concurrent presence of at least two additional neuropsychiatric symptoms with similarly severe and acute onset. These include: anxiety; mood swings and depression; aggression, irritability and oppositional behaviors; developmental regression; sudden deterioration in school performance or learning abilities; sensory and motor abnormalities; somatic signs and symptoms
- Symptoms are not explained by a known neurological/medical disorder
