Diagnosis and Treatment of Spondylodiscitis: Insights From a Five-Year Single-Center Study
2024

Diagnosis and Treatment of Spondylodiscitis: Insights From a Five-Year Study

Sample size: 36 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Muacevic Alexander, Adler John R, Lima Diana, Lopes Nuno, Pereira Ana Lúcia, Rodrigues Diogo, Amaral-Silva Marta, Marques Elsa

Primary Institution: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hospital Curry Cabral, Unidade Local de Saúde de São José, Lisbon, PRT

Hypothesis

This study aims to evaluate and describe the population affected by spondylodiscitis in terms of pathogen agents, treatment needed, neurological deficits, rehabilitation enrollment, and mortality rate.

Conclusion

The study highlights the challenges of diagnosing spondylodiscitis and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to management, including early rehabilitation to improve functional outcomes.

Supporting Evidence

  • The most common symptoms were pain (83.3%) and fever (44.4%).
  • 50% of cases were caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
  • All patients received antibiotic treatment, with 47.2% requiring surgical intervention.
  • 86.1% of patients started rehabilitation during hospitalization.
  • The overall mortality rate was 11.1%, primarily due to septic shock.

Takeaway

Spondylodiscitis is a rare infection of the spine that can be hard to diagnose, but treating it early with the right care can help people recover better.

Methodology

This study retrospectively analyzed 36 patients admitted with spondylodiscitis over a five-year period, examining demographics, clinical features, risk factors, causative agents, treatment approaches, and outcomes.

Limitations

The study included a pandemic period without receiving other than COVID-19 patients, and the findings may not reflect the broader reality of the country.

Participant Demographics

{"mean_age":53.7,"male_percentage":55.6,"comorbidities":{"HIV":22.2,"diabetes":13.9,"chronic_kidney_disease":11.1}}

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.7759/cureus.74192

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