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Updated: May 5, 2026

Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment of Human Brucellar Spondylodiscitis
Published on: May 23, 2021
Increasing incidence of pyogenic spondylodiscitis: a 14-year population-based study
Michala Kehrer1, Court Pedersen1, Thøger G Jensen2
1Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Winsløwparken 19/3, 5000 Odense C, Denmark; Department of Infectious Diseases, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000 Odense, Denmark.
Objectives:
Smaller studies indicate that the incidence of pyogenic spondylodiscitis is increasing, possible related to a growing elderly population. Data supporting this is sparse, and we therefore studied patient characteristics and changes in spondylodiscitis incidence 1995-2008.
Methods:
In a population-based study we identified all patients aged ≥18 years treated for pyogenic spondylodiscitis in Funen County, Denmark (population 483 123). Annual incidences were determined. Demographics, symptoms and diagnostic methods were recorded.
Results:
We found 192 cases: median age 66.6 years; 57.3% men; 76.6% culture positive cases. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen (55.1%). During 1995-2008 the overall incidence, incidence of culture negative cases, and incidence of cases due to S. aureus increased 2.2-5.8, 0.3-1.8, and 1.6-2.5 cases per 100 000 person years, respectively. The elderly had the highest incidence compared to those aged ≤70 years (rate ratio for men 5.9 (95% CI: 4.2-8.5) and for women 3.5 (95% CI: 2.3-5.3)).
Conclusions:
During 1995-2008 the overall incidence of S. aureus and culture negative cases of spondylodiscitis increased and remained highest among the elderly. Whether the increase is real or is a result of improved diagnostic methods and workup remains unknown.
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