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Erysipelas -risk factors of recurrency and the clinical course of events

Hultberg, Erik LU and Kalin, Erik LU (2012) LÄKM01 20121
MD 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:
author
Hultberg, Erik LU and Kalin, Erik LU
supervisor
organization
course
LÄKM01 20121
year
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}},
}