A number of risk factors may be associated with a poor prognosis for a patient with bacterial arthritis. A patient with one or more risk factors may require more aggressive therapy and closer monitoring.
Parameters:
(1) age
(2) specific joints affected
(3) number of affected joints
(4) pre-existing rheumatoid arthritis
(5) duration of symptoms before therapy
(6) time to negative culture after starting appropriate therapy
Parameter
Finding
Points
age
<= 60 years
0
> 60 years
1
specific joints affected
hip or shoulder
1
other
0
number of joints affected
<= 4
0
> 4
1
pre-existing rheumatoid arthritis
no
0
yes
1
duration of symptoms before therapy
<= 7 days
0
> 7 days
1
time to negative culture
<= 7 days
0
> 7 days
1
number of risk factors =
= SUM(points for all 6 risk factors)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 6
• The more risk factors present, the greater the risk for a poor outcome.
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