Bacterial arthritis in the elderly

The clinical and microbiological features of bacterial arthritis in 21 elderly patients presenting to hospitals in an English health district over the decade 1973-1982 are reviewed. Differences from bacterial arthritis in younger patients include the high prevalence (71%) of underlying joint disease, infections more commonly affecting the hip (38%), absence of constitutional features of toxaemia and delay in diagnosis. Outcome in elderly patients is markedly worse, with an appreciable mortality attributable to the condition.