Evaluation of children with arthritis: 9 years retrospectif study

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and laboratory findings and treatment responses of patients with arthritis.MATERIALS and METHODS: The medical records of 111 children (0-18 years) were evaluated who were hospitalized with the diagnosis of arthritis between January 2010 and January 2019 retrospectively. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and laboratory findings and to investigate the treatment and prognostic features of the patients.RESULTS: : A total of 111 patients, 66% were male and the mean age was 91+56 (median 83,1-215) months. The most of the patients (n=62,56%) were between 3-10 years of age. Septic arthritis was diagnosed in 60% (n=67) of the patients. This diagnosis was followed by reactive arthritis (10%), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (10%), toxic/transient synovitis (5%) and other arthritis. On admission, there were pain in 96%, joint swelling in 63%, redness in 21%, increased temperature of the joint in 41%, decreased range of motion in 64%, and inability to walk in 38% of the patients. The most frequently involved joints were knee (51%) and hip (35%). The possibility of septic arthritis was significantly higher in patients with high fever (p=0,0001). The response to ibuprofen was higher in non-septic arthritis (p=0,0001). Arthrocentesis was performed in 55% (n=61) of the cases and 34% (n=38) of the patients had underwent intra-articular debridement surgery. Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes were the most common microorganisms growth in joint fluid culture. When septic arthritis and other arthritis cases were compared, the effusion amount, the amount of fluid taken by puncture were significantly higher and the level of CRP and leukocytes were higher in septic arthritis group (p=0,001;p=0,025;p=0,018;p=0,032,respectively). Osteomyelitis was observed in 19%(n=21) of the cases.CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the probability of septic arthritis was found to be statistically significant in patients with fever, leukocyte>12100/mm(3), CRP>3 mg/dl, and effusion measured 8.5 mm or more by ultrasonography. Also, ibuprofen response was higher in non-septic arthritis group.