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Osteoarticular infections: a specific program for older patients?

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Abstract

Background

With the increasing number of elderly patients, arthroplasties, fractures and diabetic foot infections, the worldwide number of osteoarticular infections (OAI) among the elderly is concomitantly expected to rise.

Aims

We explore existing scientific knowledge about OAI in the frail elderly population.

Methods

We performed a literature search linking OAIs to geriatric patients and comparing elderly patients (> 65 years) with average adults (range 18–65 years).

Results

In this literature, financial aspects, comparison of diverse therapies on quality of life, reimbursement policies, or specific guidelines or nursing recommendations are missing. Age itself was not an independent factor related to particular pathogens, prevention of OAI, nursing care, and outcomes of OAI. However, geriatric patients were significantly more exposed to adverse events of therapy. They had more co-morbidities and more conservative surgery for OAI.

Conclusion

Available literature regarding OAI management among elderly patients is sparse. In recent evaluations, age itself does not seem an independent factor related to particular epidemiology, pathogens, prevention, nursing care, rehabilitation and therapeutic outcomes of OAI. Future clinical research will concern more conservative surgical indications, but certainly reduce inappropriate antibiotic use.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Infectiology, Balgrist University Hospital, Forchstrasse 340, 8008, Zurich, Switzerland

    Ilker Uçkay

  2. Infection Control, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland

    Ilker Uçkay & Jan Burkhard

  3. Internal Medicine, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland

    Dominique Holy & Jan Burkhard

  4. Orthopaedic Surgery, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland

    Michael Betz

  5. Nursing Care, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland

    Regina Sauer

  6. Pharmacy, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland

    Tanja Huber

Authors
  1. Ilker Uçkay
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  2. Dominique Holy
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  3. Michael Betz
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  4. Regina Sauer
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  5. Tanja Huber
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  6. Jan Burkhard
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All six authors contributed to the drafting and writing of this review.

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Correspondence to Ilker Uçkay.

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Uçkay, I., Holy, D., Betz, M. et al. Osteoarticular infections: a specific program for older patients?. Aging Clin Exp Res 33, 703–710 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-019-01329-w

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