Incidence and mortality of osteomielitis in Spain according to the basic minimum data set

Abstract Background and objectives To understand the incidence and mortality of patients hospitalised for osteomyelitis in Spain. Material and method An observational study of the population admitted to Spanish hospitals with a primary diagnosis of osteomyelitis, according to the minimum basic data set for hospital discharge (MBDS), between 1997–2014 (29,290 cases) was carried out. Results The incidence was 3.85 cases/100,000 inhabitants per year. Relative risk for males was 2.02. In-hospital mortality was 1.72% (99% CI: 1.4–1.93). The mortality of osteomyelitis associated to septicemia reached 27.12% (99%CI: 20.5–35), that of infection by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was 5.5% (99% CI: 2.18–13.2), and that of those aged over 64 was 4.65% (99% CI: 3.89–5.0). In a multivariate analysis, mortality was associated independently with a diagnosis of septicemia, acute osteomyelitis, urgent admissions, infection with MRSA, being over 64 and female. Conclusions The incidence of hospitalisations for osteomyelitis in Spain is substantial. Sepsis, being over 64 and MRSA infection are important risk factors for death.