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Musculoskeletal manifestations of bacterial endocarditis

M A Churchill, J E Geraci, G G Hunder

    Annals of Internal Medicine
    |December 1, 1977
    PubMed

    Insights

    Musculoskeletal symptoms like joint pain and back pain are common in bacterial endocarditis, affecting nearly half of patients. Early recognition of these rheumatic signs is crucial for timely diagnosis of infective endocarditis.

    Area of Science:

    • Infectious Diseases
    • Rheumatology
    • Cardiology

    Background:

    • Bacterial endocarditis is a serious infection of the heart valves.
    • Musculoskeletal manifestations are not commonly recognized as a feature of endocarditis.
    • Early diagnosis of endocarditis is critical for patient outcomes.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To determine the frequency and characteristics of musculoskeletal manifestations in bacterial endocarditis.
    • To assess the role of these symptoms in the early diagnosis of endocarditis.

    Main Methods:

    • Retrospective analysis of 192 cases of bacterial endocarditis.
    • Review of patient records for musculoskeletal symptoms, clinical data, and laboratory findings.

    Main Results:

    • 44% of patients (84/192) exhibited musculoskeletal manifestations.
    • Common symptoms included arthralgias, arthritis, low back pain, and myalgias.
    • In 27% of cases, musculoskeletal complaints were among the initial symptoms, potentially delaying diagnosis.

    Conclusions:

    • Musculoskeletal symptoms are a frequent and often early feature of bacterial endocarditis.
    • These rheumatic manifestations can mimic other conditions, highlighting the need for increased clinical awareness.
    • Recognizing these signs can improve the early diagnosis and management of infective endocarditis.

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