[Characteristics of limping patients in Rheumatology].

INTRODUCTION

Limping is a frequent reason for consultation. Our aim is to describe the characteristics of patients who limp and are evaluated in Rheumatology.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Cross-sectional study from October 2009 to June 2010. Variables included: epidemiological data, clinical symptoms and laboratory and imaging tests.

RESULTS

A total of 95 patients were studied and classified into four groups according to their diagnosis, inflammatory 22%, infectious 17%, transient hip synovitis 13%, and miscellaneous 48%. There were differences between groups in age (P<0.0001) and arthritis (P<0.0001). In this population, the probability of an infectious/inflammatory limp fulfils the criteria "less than 3 years and fever" was 79% and reached 100% if it was also associated with arthritis.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical evaluation and in particular, age, fever and arthritis seem to be the most relevant data in differentiating infectious/inflammation diagnosis in the child who limps.