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A long term study of 22 children with brucellar arthritis
M Alvarez de Buergo1, F J Gomez Reino, J J Gomez Reino
1Department of Rheumatology, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.
Insights
Brucellar arthritis in children is a significant concern in Mediterranean regions. This study highlights its clinical features, common arthritis patterns, and effective cotrimoxazole treatment in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Rheumatology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Brucellar arthritis is a prevalent issue in Mediterranean countries.
- Pediatric cases of brucellar arthritis often receive insufficient attention.
- Understanding its clinical spectrum in children is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the clinical features of brucellar arthritis in pediatric patients.
- To identify common patterns of arthritis presentation in children.
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cotrimoxazole treatment.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of 22 pediatric patients diagnosed with brucellar arthritis.
- Data collected over a 10-year period from a large hospital.
- Clinical features, arthritis patterns, and treatment responses were documented.
Main Results:
- Common systemic symptoms included fever (68%), malaise (50%), myalgia (18%), and abdominal pain (14%).
- Arthritis presented in acute (45%), chronic (41%), and recurrent (14%) patterns.
- Monoarthritis, particularly involving the hip (45%), was frequently observed.
- Treatment with high-dose, long-term cotrimoxazole showed good response with no observed toxicity.
Conclusions:
- Brucellar arthritis in children presents with diverse systemic and articular features.
- Hip monoarthritis is a common manifestation in pediatric brucellar arthritis.
- Long-term, high-dose cotrimoxazole is an effective and safe treatment option for pediatric brucellar arthritis.
Abstract:
Brucellar arthritis remains a serious a problem in Mediterranean countries. In the pediatric group it has not received enough attention. We have analysed the clinical features of 22 children followed in a large hospital for the last 10 years. Fever (68%), malaise (50%), myalgia (18%) and abdominal pain (14%) were the most common systemic symptoms. Three different patterns of arthritis were observed: acute (45%), chronic (41%) and recurrent (14%). Monoarthritis (45%) with hip involvement was very common. Response to treatment with large doses of cotrimoxazol for a long period of time was good. No toxicity was observed.