Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

    Background & Aim: Septic arthritis is an inflammatory and septic process in the joints. The purpose of the present study is to assess the clinical features and determine the pathogens responsible for the treatment and outcome of infectious arthritis in patients admitted to two educational hospitals, i.e. Firoozgar and Rasoul-e-Akram in Tehran, between 1998 and 2003. Patients & Method: Based on existing data, this study was conducted on all 100 patients who suffered from septic arthritis during 5 years, 1998-2003. The obtained data was analyzed by SPSS 11.5 software. Results: Women constituted 48% of the subjects and men 52%. The mean age of the patients was 48.6 years. 67% of the cases had monoarticular involvement and the most common involved joint was knee(57%). The most common predisposing factor was rheumatoid arthritis. Elevated levels of CRP(C-Reactive Protein) were found in all patients. Synovial fluid culture was positive in 45% of the subjects(mostly S.aureus). Other microorganisms were gram negative bacilli, candida, M. tuberculosis, salmonella, and brucella. There were positive radiographic findings in 20% of the patients. 68% of the cases received empiric antibiotic therapy, mostly PRPs(Penicillinase Resistant Penicillin) and third generation of cephalosporins. The average duration of hospitalization was 15 days. Conclusion: The present study highlights the importance of characterizing the kind of microorganism causing septic arthritis. The proper management of this disease is mandatory to all physicians who work in emergency wards.