RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Bacterial arthritis in an English health district: a 10 year review.
JF Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
JO Ann Rheum Dis
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and European League Against Rheumatism
SP 458
OP 463
DO 10.1136/ard.45.6.458
VO 45
IS 6
A1 C Cooper
A1 M I Cawley
YR 1986
UL http://ard.bmj.com/content/45/6/458.abstract
AB Bacterial arthritis continues to present a difficult clinical and therapeutic problem, necessitating prompt diagnosis and intensive therapy. This study comprises a 10 year review of the condition in an English health district, with particular reference to aetiology, presentation, treatment, and outcome. Although the causative organisms remain qualitatively unchanged, increasing numbers of patients are elderly, immunosuppressed, or have underlying arthropathy. Factors which influence outcome include age, causative organism, joint involved, and delay in diagnosis. Attention is drawn to the notably poor outcome of hip infections in the elderly.