在工业化国家,化脓性关节炎估计发病率为每年 6 例 /10 万人。[1]Tarkowski A. Infection and musculoskeletal conditions: Infectious arthritis. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2006;20:1029-1044.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17127195?tool=bestpractice.com在患有潜在关节病或有关节假体的患者中,发病率约增加 10 倍,达每年 70 例/10 万人。[2]Kaandorp CJ, Dinant HJ, van de Laar MA, et al. Incidence and sources of native and prosthetic joint infection: a community based prospective survey. Ann Rheum Dis. 1997;56:470-475.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1752430/pdf/v056p00470.pdfhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9306869?tool=bestpractice.com