Introduction:

septic arthritis is an infectious emergency since early diagnosis and prompt treatment allow to reduce complications.

Objective:

to describe the clinical and demographic characteristics of patients with septic arthritis.

Methodology:

retro and prospective observational study of adult patients with septic arthritis admitted to the Servicios de Clínica Médica y Traumatología del Hospital Nacional, Itauguá-Paraguay between 2015 and 2019. Demographic, clinical and bacteriological variables were measured. Septic arthritis was confirmed with clinical and bacteriological criteria.

Results:

the sample included 66 cases, with a mean age of 53 ± 16 years and a predominance of males (80,8 %). The predominant comorbidity was diabetes mellitus (63,6 %). The most frequently isolated germ was Staphylococcus aureus (40,3 %). Surgical treatment was required in 80 % of the cases. There were 5 deaths.

Conclusion:

septic arthritis predominated in male adults, most of them diabetics. S. aureus was the most frequently isolated germ. Mortality was 7,5 %.

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