Septic arthritis epidemiology and demographics

Septic arthritis is an orthopaedic emergency with potential high morbidity and mortality.Septic arthritis is also becoming increasingly common among people who are immunosuppressed and elderly persons. Of people with septic arthritis, 45% are older than 65 years. These groups are more likely to have various comorbidities. 56% of patients with septic arthritis are male.

• Worldwide, the incidence of septic arthritis ranges from a low of 2 per 100,000 persons/ year to a high of 10 per 100,000 persons/ year^[1]
• Worldwide, the Incidence of septic arthritis in patients with history of rheumatoid arthritis and patients with joint prostheses ranges from a low of 30 per 100,000 persons/ year to a high of 70 per 100,000 persons/ year.^[2]
• Worldwide, the Incidence of septic arthritis in patients with joint prostheses ranges from a low of 40 per 100,000 persons/ year to a high of 68 per 100,000 persons/ year.

• The case-fatality rate of septic arthritis is estimated to be 10-25%.^[3]

• Even after survival from septic arthritis, 25-50% of the patients suffer from irreversible loss of joint function.^[4][5]

• Gonococcal arthritis is more common in reproductive age group.
• Non gonococcal arthritis is more common in extreme age groups such as age >80 years or children <2 years.^[6]

• In comparison to male, female have a four-fold increased risk of predisposition to gonococcal arthritis due to the asymptomatic nature of gonorrheal infection in women.
• Poly-articular septic arthritis (PASA) is more common in men when compared to women.^[6]

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