The Risk of Cellulitis in Cirrhotic Patients: A Nationwide Population-Based Study in Taiwan.
- Author:
Ming Nan LIN
1
;
Chen Chi TSAI
;
Tsung Hsing HUNG
;
Chih Chun TSAI
Author Information
1. Department of Family Medicine, Buddhist Dalin Tzu Chi General Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Cellulitis;
Liver cirrhosis
- MeSH:
Cellulitis;
Communicable Diseases;
Follow-Up Studies;
Humans;
Liver;
Liver Cirrhosis;
National Health Programs;
Risk Factors;
Taiwan
- From:Gut and Liver
2012;6(4):482-485
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Cellulitis is a common infectious disease. However, the risk of cellulitis in cirrhotic patients is not well established, and whether liver cirrhosis is a risk factor for cellulitis remains unknown. This study evaluated the relationship between cellulitis and liver cirrhosis. METHODS: The National Health Insurance Database, which was derived from the Taiwan National Health Insurance program, was used to identify patients. The study group consisted of 39,966 patients with liver cirrhosis, and the comparison group consisted of 39,701 randomly selected age- and sex-matched patients. RESULTS: During the 3-year follow-up period, 2,674 (6.7%) patients with liver cirrhosis developed cellulitis, and 1,587 (4.0%) patients without liver cirrhosis developed cellulitis (p<0.001). Following a Cox's regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, and underlying medical disorders, the cirrhotic patients demonstrated a greater risk for the occurrence of cellulitis than the non-cirrhotic patients during the 3-year period (hazard ratio [HR], 1.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.55 to 1.77; p<0.001). Additionally, cirrhotic patients with complications also had a greater risk for the occurrence of cellulitis than those patients without complications (HR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.33; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that cirrhotic patients have a greater risk of cellulitis than non-cirrhotic patients.
