Osteoarticular complications of brucellosis in Hamedan, an endemic area in the west of Iran.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency and clinical characteristics of osteoarticular complications of brucellosis in an endemic region in Iran.


METHODS
In a prospective study we evaluated 245 patients with brucellosis diagnosed between January 2004 and December 2005. Patients included were those older than 8 years of age and who had clinical features suggestive of brucellosis and specific antibodies at significant titers, and/or positive blood or body fluid culture for Brucella species. A bone scan was performed in those with a clinical suspicion of osteoarticular involvement.


RESULTS
Seventy patients (28.6%) had osteoarticular complications. Sacroiliitis was the most common complication (75.7%), followed by spondylitis (21.4%) and peripheral arthritis (8.6%). Spondylitis was the most common osteoarticular complication in the elderly. Relapses occurred in five (2%) patients, three of them with spondylitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Osteoarticular disease is the most common complication of brucellosis in Western Iran. Sacroiliitis is the most common form of osteoarticular complication. With the use of a proper treatment regimen, the prospect for recovery is good.
Hashemi
Seyyed Hamid
SH
Department of Infectious Diseases, Hamedan University of Medical Sciences, Sina Hospital, Mirzadeh-eshghi Street, Hamedan 65168, Iran. shahashemi@yahoo.com
Keramat
Fariba
F
Ranjbar
Mitra
M
Mamani
Mojgan
M
Farzam
Ali
A
Jamal-Omidi
Shirin
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged