Erysipelas -risk factors of recurrency and the clinical course of events
(2012) LÄKM01 20121MD Programme
- Abstract
- Background:
Erysipelas is a common infection that often reoccurs, but only a few
studies have investigated risk factors for recurrent episodes. How the natural course of
events in the infection corresponds to the inflammatory signs is not well described.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to indentify risk factors for recurrent erysipelas
and the possibility to study the course of events from an objective point of view.
Methods:
The study was divided in one retrospective and one prospective part. In the
retrospective study, medical records were reviewed from patients diagnosed with
erysipelas at the Department of Infectious Diseases at Skåne University Hospital in
Lund from January 2007 to December 2010.... (More) - Background:
Erysipelas is a common infection that often reoccurs, but only a few
studies have investigated risk factors for recurrent episodes. How the natural course of
events in the infection corresponds to the inflammatory signs is not well described.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to indentify risk factors for recurrent erysipelas
and the possibility to study the course of events from an objective point of view.
Methods:
The study was divided in one retrospective and one prospective part. In the
retrospective study, medical records were reviewed from patients diagnosed with
erysipelas at the Department of Infectious Diseases at Skåne University Hospital in
Lund from January 2007 to December 2010. Patients with single episode erysipelas
were compared with patients suffering from recurrent episodes regarding risk factors
and general characteristics.
In the prospective study, patients admitted to the Department of Infectious Diseases at
Skåne University Hospital in Lund for erysipelas in upper or lower extremity were
included. Repeated examinations of inflammatory signs such as temperature of the the
skin, area of erythema and circumference were performed on the affected as well as
the contra lateral extremity for comparison.
Results:
In the retrospective study, 511 patients were included and divided into two
groups, single episode erysipelas (n=370) and recurrent erysipelas (n=141). Risk
factors identified for recurrent erysipelas were malignancy (p=0.006), venous
insufficiancy (p=0.036), lymph oedema (p<0.000) and previous regional operation
(p<0.000).
In the prospective study, 18 patients were included. All measured parameters showed
significant difference between inclusion day and day 7. Temperature of the skin was
the most rapid parameter react, showing difference alredy at day 3-4. At the later
follow up visit, temperature and circumference still showed difference between the
extremities and only the erythema had disappeared.
Conclusions:
Risk factors for recurrent erysipelas were identified. The symptoms of
erysipelas are possible to measure and show a variation over time. These findings
may contribute in monitoring clinical improvement in future studies regarding
treatment effects and prognostic factors. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/2701793
- author
- Hultberg, Erik LU and Kalin, Erik LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- LÄKM01 20121
- year
- 2012
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- language
- English
- id
- 2701793
- date added to LUP
- 2012-08-24 11:04:14
- date last changed
- 2012-08-24 11:04:14
@misc{2701793, abstract = {{Background: Erysipelas is a common infection that often reoccurs, but only a few studies have investigated risk factors for recurrent episodes. How the natural course of events in the infection corresponds to the inflammatory signs is not well described. Objective: The aim of this study was to indentify risk factors for recurrent erysipelas and the possibility to study the course of events from an objective point of view. Methods: The study was divided in one retrospective and one prospective part. In the retrospective study, medical records were reviewed from patients diagnosed with erysipelas at the Department of Infectious Diseases at Skåne University Hospital in Lund from January 2007 to December 2010. Patients with single episode erysipelas were compared with patients suffering from recurrent episodes regarding risk factors and general characteristics. In the prospective study, patients admitted to the Department of Infectious Diseases at Skåne University Hospital in Lund for erysipelas in upper or lower extremity were included. Repeated examinations of inflammatory signs such as temperature of the the skin, area of erythema and circumference were performed on the affected as well as the contra lateral extremity for comparison. Results: In the retrospective study, 511 patients were included and divided into two groups, single episode erysipelas (n=370) and recurrent erysipelas (n=141). Risk factors identified for recurrent erysipelas were malignancy (p=0.006), venous insufficiancy (p=0.036), lymph oedema (p<0.000) and previous regional operation (p<0.000). In the prospective study, 18 patients were included. All measured parameters showed significant difference between inclusion day and day 7. Temperature of the skin was the most rapid parameter react, showing difference alredy at day 3-4. At the later follow up visit, temperature and circumference still showed difference between the extremities and only the erythema had disappeared. Conclusions: Risk factors for recurrent erysipelas were identified. The symptoms of erysipelas are possible to measure and show a variation over time. These findings may contribute in monitoring clinical improvement in future studies regarding treatment effects and prognostic factors.}}, author = {{Hultberg, Erik and Kalin, Erik}}, language = {{eng}}, note = {{Student Paper}}, title = {{Erysipelas -risk factors of recurrency and the clinical course of events}}, year = {{2012}}, }