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.
Purpose: To evaluate a patient with bacterial arthritis for risk factors associated with a poor outcome.
Specialty: Infectious Diseases, Surgery, orthopedic
Objective: risk factors, severity, prognosis, stage
ICD-10: M00.9,