A Clinical Study of Inpatients with Cellulitis over the Recent 5 Years.
- Author:
Jung MIN
1
;
Jae Hui NAM
;
Ho Joo JUNG
;
Ji Hye PARK
;
Ga Young LEE
;
Won Serk KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Seoul, Korea. susini@naver.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Antibiotics;
Cellulitis;
CRP;
Erysipelas;
WBC
- MeSH:
Anti-Bacterial Agents;
C-Reactive Protein;
Cellulitis*;
Erysipelas;
Erythema;
Fever;
Foot;
Humans;
Inpatients*;
Leukocytes;
Male;
Medical Records;
Skin;
Tinea Pedis
- From:Korean Journal of Dermatology
2014;52(7):479-485
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Cellulitis is an acute infection of the dermal and subcutaneous layers of the skin, which is commonly treated by a dermatologist but there are few reports about clinical data on cellulitis in Korean literature. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the clinical characteristics of inpatients diagnosed as cellulitis in the recent 5 years. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 77 patients who were diagnosed as cellulitis and hospitalized at the Kangbuk Samsung Hospital from March 2008 to February 2013. RESULTS: The study included data from 77 patients with cellulitis (mean age, 51.7 years; 44 men, 33 women). There was a positive correlation between age and hospitalized days (p<0.05). Cellulitis most frequently occurred in the foot (32.1%). The most common cutaneous symptoms were erythema, tenderness, and swelling (100%), and the most common systemic symptom was fever (23.4%). Tinea pedis was the most common cause of cellulitis (31.2%). Elevation of C-reactive protein (CRP) was observed in 30 patients (40%) and there were positive correlations not only between CRP and hospitalized days (p<0.05) but also between white blood cell (WBC) count and hospitalized days (p<0.05). First-generation cephalosporin was chosen as the primary antibiotic in 33 patients (40.3%) and the mean duration of antibiotic treatment was 12.4 days. There was no significant difference of hospitalized days between first-generation cephalosporin and other antibiotics (p>0.05). Systemic steroid was administered in 21 patients (27.3%), and was not significantly related to hospitalized days (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The clinical course of cellulitis was inversely correlated to the elevation of patient's age, WBC count, and CRP.
