[Incidence of infectious spondylitis in the province of Albacete (Spain)].

Background: Infectious spondylitis (IS) is an infrequent disease, although there are few data on its real incidence. To date, only one study, carried out in Denmark, that rigorously assesses the incidence of this disease has been published.

Objectives: To determine the incidence of IS in the nonpediatric population of the province of Albacete, and to analyze differences according to etiology, age, sex, and geographical area.

Methods: We carried out a retrospective search of all the IS cases diagnosed in the province of Albacete during the period 1990-2002 and calculated the adjusted incidence rates using census data.

Results: The incidence of IS was 2.40 cases/10(5) inhabitants/year. Brucellar spondylitis had an incidence of 1.18 cases/10(5) inhabitants/year, with a predominance in the rural area and in men. Distribution by age was bimodal, with a first peak around 40 years old and a second peak around 60 years old. The incidence has significantly decreased in the last few years. Pyogenic spondylitis (incidence of 0.64 cases/10(5) inhabitants/year) showed a maximum incidence at around 60 years old, while its distribution by sex and geographical area was more uniform. Tuberculous spondylitis had an incidence of 0.45 cases/10(5) inhabitants/year and its frequency increased with age.

Conclusion: The incidence rates of IS were higher than those reported in most previous studies, although they were similar to those observed in the most rigorous reports. These findings suggest that the frequency of IS could have been underestimated. The three etiologic groups analyzed showed distinct epidemiological profiles.