Osteomyelitis most commonly occurs in which age groups?

Osteomyelitis most commonly occurs in which age groups?

• A. Under 20 years or over 50 years
• B. 20-40 years
• C. 30-60 years
• D. 60-80 years

Answer: (A)

Osteomyelitis has a bimodal age distribution, being most common in two distinct groups: the young and the older adults. In children, infection often arises from hematogenous spread, seeded into the highly vascular metaphyses of growing long bones, so those under about 20 years are at higher risk. In older adults, factors like diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, and prior trauma or surgery predispose to infection from contiguous spread or hematogenous seeding, making the group over about 50 also high risk. Because of these patterns, osteomyelitis most frequently occurs in individuals under 20 or over 50, which is why that option is the best choice.

Osteomyelitis has a bimodal age distribution, being most common in two distinct groups: the young and the older adults. In children, infection often arises from hematogenous spread, seeded into the highly vascular metaphyses of growing long bones, so those under about 20 years are at higher risk. In older adults, factors like diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, and prior trauma or surgery predispose to infection from contiguous spread or hematogenous seeding, making the group over about 50 also high risk. Because of these patterns, osteomyelitis most frequently occurs in individuals under 20 or over 50, which is why that option is the best choice.