Publication Details

AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS

SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH

Risk factors for erysipelas of the leg (cellulitis): Case-control study

BMJ, Volume 318, No. 7198, Year 1999

Objective: To assess risk factors for erysipelas of the leg (cellulitis). Design: Case-control study. Setting: 7 hospital centres in France. Subjects: 167 patients admitted to hospital for erysipelas of the leg and 294 controls. Results: In multivariate analysis, a disruption of the cutaneous barrier (leg ulcer, wound, fissurated toe-web intertrigo, pressure ulcer, or leg dermatosis) (odds ratio 23.8, 95% confidence interval 10.7 to 52.5), lymphoedema (71.2, 5.6 to 908), venous insufficiency (2.9, 1.0 to 8.7), leg oedema (2.5, 1.2 to 5.1) and being overweight (2.0, 1.1 to 3.7) were independently associated with erysipelas of the leg. No association was observed with diabetes, alcohol, or smoking. Population attributable risk for toe-web intertrigo was 61%. Conclusion: This first case-control study highlights the major role of local risk factors (mainly lymphoedema and site of entry) in erysipelas of the leg. From a public health perspective, detecting and treating toe-web intertrigo should be evaluated in the secondary prevention of erysipelas of the leg. © 1999, BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. All rights reserved.
Statistics
Citations: 401
Authors: 8
Affiliations: 8
Identifiers
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Noncommunicable Diseases
Substance Abuse
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Case-Control Study