Analysis of mortality in a cohort of 650 cases of bacteremic osteoarticular infections

Abstract Objectives The mortality of patients with bacteremic osteoarticular infections (B-OAIs) is poorly understood. Whether certain types of OAIs carry higher mortality or interventions like surgical debridement can improve prognosis, are unclarified questions. Methods Retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort of patients with B-OAIs treated at a teaching hospital in Barcelona (1985–2014), analyzing mortality (30-day case-fatality rate). B-OAIs were categorized as peripheral septic arthritis or other OAIs. Factors influencing mortality were analyzed using logistic regression models. The association of surgical debridement with mortality in patients with peripheral septic arthritis was evaluated with a multivariate logistic regression model and a propensity score matching analysis. Results Among 650 cases of B-OAIs, mortality was 12.2% (41.8% of deaths within 7 days). Compared with other B-OAI, cases of peripheral septic arthritis were associated with higher mortality (18.6% vs 8.3%, p p = 0.008). Cases with peripheral septic arthritis managed with surgical debridement had lower mortality than those managed without surgery (14.7% vs 33.3%; p = 0.003). Surgical debridement was associated with reduced mortality after adjusting for covariates (adjusted OR 0.23; 95% CI: 0.09–0.57; p = 0.002) and in the propensity score matching analysis (OR 0.81; 95% CI: 0.68–0.96; p = 0.014). Conclusions Among patients with B-OAIs, mortality was greater in those with peripheral septic arthritis. Surgical debridement was associated with decreased mortality in cases of peripheral septic arthritis.