Factors in aetiology and clinical pattern of haematogenous osteomyelitis with special emphasis on sickle cell disease in Mulago Hospital

ABSTRACT

In this study; factors in the aetiology; clinical and radiological pattern of haematogenous osteomylitis were studied. One hundred fifty five patients participated in this study. Haematogenous osteomyelitis was found to be more common in males than females. The mean age at onset was 8.17 years. Trauma and sickle cell disease were found to be aetiological factors. Poverty; malnutrition and chronic ill health were found to be associated with increased morbidity. Sickle cell haemoglobinopathy was found in 21.1of the patients. Of these 13.5 had sickle cell trait and 8.5 had sickle cell anaemia. The majority of patients 92.2 had chronic osteomyelitis at the time of presentation. The acute phase of the disease was found to be usually missed at the time of onset of illness. No cases of sub-acute osteomyelitis. Chi square