A prospective 2‐year study of 75 patients with adult‐onset septic arthritis

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Abstract
Aims and methods. To assess the clinical features of septic arthritis and characterize therapeutic strategies and outcome in a prospective study of 75 patients selected by positive synovial fluid culture. Results. Underlying joint disease was present in 46 patients, 25 of whom had rheumatoid arthritis and 15 osteoarthritis. Eleven patients were i.v. drug abusers. Fifty‐six per cent of cases involved the knee, 15% involved two or more joints, and staphylococci and streptococci were cultured in >90%. Seventy‐eight per cent of patients lived in areas of high social deprivation. Fever was present in 64% and the white cell count (WCC) was normal in 38%. The C‐reactive protein was elevated in 98%. Leg ulcers were present in 11% of all patients but in 38% of patients who died (PPP<0.015) were predictors of poor prognosis.