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Septic arthritis: a second decade of experience
1Department of Rheumatology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Medicine
|June 1, 1994
Summary
Septic arthritis in patients with rheumatic disease has a poor prognosis, particularly with infected arthroplasties. Causative organisms and infection sites remain unchanged over two decades.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Septic arthritis is a serious joint infection.
- Patients with underlying rheumatic diseases are at increased risk.
- Outcomes can be poor, especially with prosthetic joints.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review diagnostic features, treatment, and outcomes of septic arthritis.
- To compare recent cases (1982-1991) with a previous decade (1971-1981).
- To identify trends in causative organisms and affected sites.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records from a major Australian rheumatology unit.
- Analysis of 27 septic arthritis cases from 1982-1991.
- Comparison with data from 1971-1981.
Main Results:
- Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism.
- Rheumatoid arthritis was the most frequent underlying rheumatic disease.
- Only 59% of affected joints regained good function; 50% of infected arthroplasties required further surgery.
Conclusions:
- Septic arthritis in patients with rheumatic disease has a poor prognosis.
- Infected arthroplasties have particularly poor outcomes.
- No significant changes in causative organisms or infection sites were observed over two decades.