Ab1631-HPR Clinical and Paraclinical Profile of Patients Admitted for Septic Arthritis at Chu Souss Massa

Background: Septic arthritis is a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency in rheumatology that requires prompt intervention to limit the risks complications. Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical and paraclinical profile of septic arthritis in patients at CHU Souss Massa in Agadir. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 17 patients hospitalized in the rheumatology department of CHU Souss Massa in Agadir during the period 2022-2023. Results: This study included 17 patients with a median age of 58.3 [17-84] and a male predominance. The average hospital stay is 3 weeks [2-4]. Among them, 35.3% had type 2 diabetes, 29.4% were hypertensive and three were followed for chronic renal failure (17.6%). Two patients were being treated for retroviral infection and only one patient had a positive syphilitic serology. Fever was found in 64.7% of cases (n=11). General deterioration was noted in four patients (23.5%). The knee joint was predominantly affected (n=11; 64.7%) followed by the ankle and elbow in 2 patients each (11.8%), the shoulder and sternoclavicular joint in one case each (5.9%). Joint pain was present in 10 patients (58.8%), local inflammatory signs (n=9; 52.9%) and joint swelling (n=14; 82.3%). A biological inflammatory syndrome was present in all patients. In infectious assessment, three patients (17.6%) showed urinary infection. Joint aspiration was performed in 10 patients (58.8%) with a positive culture. Staphylococcus aureus in one patient (5.8%). After bacteriological sampling, antibiotic therapy was initiated in 94.1% of cases (n=16) for a mean of 42 days. Radiographically, 56.3% of patients had joint narrowing. Functional assessment showed improvement in 47% of patients, but the remainder were lost to follow-up after discharge, although one patient died on admission. Patients were assessed 15 days after the end of treatment. Conclusion: Septic arthritis must be considered as a matter of urgency. Its diagnosis is based primarily on clinical examination confirmed by joint aspiration.REFERENCES: NIL. Acknowledgements: NIL. Disclosure of Interests: None declared.