[Septic arthritis in the elderly: about 21 cases]

ABSTRACT

Septic arthritis [SA] is a serious disease especially if occurring in elderly debilitated by frequent comorbidities and diminished immunity. The authors discuss diagnosis difficulties, prognosis and, therapeutic consequences of the occurrence of septic arthritis in elders It is a retrospective study about 21 cases of septic arthritis [SA] occurring in the elderly aged 65-year-old or more, hospitalized over a ten year period [1994-2005] at the department of Rheumatology of Charles Nicolle's Hospital of Tunis. Mean age was 70.8 years [65y-83y] with a sex-ratio of 1.1 .A history of rheumatologic and/or systemic diseases was present in 62%of cases. Clinic presentation was atypical explaining the long mean diagnosis delay; 23 days for pyogenic SA, 9.3 months for tuberculous arthritis. The germ involved, isolated in 11 cases, was a Staphylococcus Aureus in most ones. Tuberculous arthritis represented 28.6%of cases. The outcome was favourable in 19 cases [90%] after antibiotherapy. Because of its seriousness, SA should be evocated in front of any articular inflammation occurring in elderly. Adequate management must be started as soon as possible