治疗延迟或不充分可导致不可逆的关节破坏和后期残疾。预计病死率为11%。[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
英国一项调查显示,某些因素(例如老年、既往有关节病以及存在关节假体)可能与预后不良相关。[18]Kaandorp CJ, Krijnen P, Moens HJ, et al. The outcome of bacterial arthritis:a prospective community-based study. Arthritis Rheum. 1997;40:884-892.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9153550?tool=bestpractice.com