The risk factors of lower limb cellulitis: A case-control study in a tertiary centre
Introduction: Lower limb cellulitis is a common superficial skin infection that leads to morbidity and mortality. Cellulitis risk factors have been well studied in many countries, but to date, not in Malaysia. Geographical and climate variables may affect risk factors. Early identification of the...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Academy of Family Physicians of Malaysia
2020-03-01
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| Series: | Malaysian Family Physician |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://e-mfp.org/wp-content/uploads/v15n1-original-article-3.pdf |
| _version_ | 1817987399309852672 |
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| author | Norazirah Md Nor Khor Inn Shih Adawiyah Jamil Azmi Mohd Tamil Azmawati Mohd Naw |
| author_facet | Norazirah Md Nor Khor Inn Shih Adawiyah Jamil Azmi Mohd Tamil Azmawati Mohd Naw |
| author_sort | Norazirah Md Nor |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Lower limb cellulitis is a common superficial skin infection that leads to morbidity
and mortality. Cellulitis risk factors have been well studied in many countries, but to date, not in
Malaysia. Geographical and climate variables may affect risk factors. Early identification of the
preventable risk factors is vital to prevent cellulitis and improve holistic patient care.
Objective: To determine the risk factors of lower limb cellulitis amongst hospitalized patients at
a tertiary center.
Methods: A prospective case-control study of hospitalized patients with a clinical diagnosis
of lower limb cellulitis was conducted at UKM Medical Centre, January–August 2015. Each
patient was compared to two age and gender-matched control patients. All patients were
interviewed and examined for risk factors of cellulitis.
Results: A total of 96 cellulitis patients and 192 controls participated in this study. The cellulitis
patients included 61 males and 35 females with a mean age of 62.07±15.43 years. The majority
of patients were experiencing their first episode of cellulitis. Multivariate analysis showed a
previous history of cellulitis (OR 25.53; 95% CI 4.73–137.79), sole anomalies (OR 16.32; 95%
CI 6.65–40.06), ulceration (OR 14.86; 95% CI 1.00–219.39), venous insufficiency (OR 10.46
95% CI 1.98–55.22), interdigital intertrigo (OR 8.86; 95% CI 3.33-23.56), eczema (OR 5.74;
95% CI 0.96.–34.21), and limb edema (OR 3.95; 95% CI 1.82–8.59) were the significant risk
factors for lower limb cellulitis.
Conclusion: Previous cellulitis and factors causing skin barrier disruption such as sole anomalies,
ulceration, venous insufficiency, eczema, intertrigo, and limb edema were the risk factors for
lower limb cellulitis. Physician awareness, early detection, and treatment of these factors at the
primary care level may prevent hospital admission and morbidity associated with cellulitis. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-14T00:21:38Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3501f529c89a45ba819978e7faf1e7ed |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1985-2274 1985-207X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-14T00:21:38Z |
| publishDate | 2020-03-01 |
| publisher | Academy of Family Physicians of Malaysia |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Malaysian Family Physician |
| spelling | doaj.art-3501f529c89a45ba819978e7faf1e7ed2022-12-22T02:22:56ZengAcademy of Family Physicians of MalaysiaMalaysian Family Physician1985-22741985-207X2020-03-011512329The risk factors of lower limb cellulitis: A case-control study in a tertiary centreNorazirah Md Nor0Khor Inn Shih1Adawiyah Jamil2Azmi Mohd Tamil3Azmawati Mohd Naw4Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, MalaysiaDepartment of Medicine, Penang General Hospital, MalaysiaDepartment of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, MalaysiaDepartment of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, MalaysiaDepartment of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, MalaysiaIntroduction: Lower limb cellulitis is a common superficial skin infection that leads to morbidity and mortality. Cellulitis risk factors have been well studied in many countries, but to date, not in Malaysia. Geographical and climate variables may affect risk factors. Early identification of the preventable risk factors is vital to prevent cellulitis and improve holistic patient care. Objective: To determine the risk factors of lower limb cellulitis amongst hospitalized patients at a tertiary center. Methods: A prospective case-control study of hospitalized patients with a clinical diagnosis of lower limb cellulitis was conducted at UKM Medical Centre, January–August 2015. Each patient was compared to two age and gender-matched control patients. All patients were interviewed and examined for risk factors of cellulitis. Results: A total of 96 cellulitis patients and 192 controls participated in this study. The cellulitis patients included 61 males and 35 females with a mean age of 62.07±15.43 years. The majority of patients were experiencing their first episode of cellulitis. Multivariate analysis showed a previous history of cellulitis (OR 25.53; 95% CI 4.73–137.79), sole anomalies (OR 16.32; 95% CI 6.65–40.06), ulceration (OR 14.86; 95% CI 1.00–219.39), venous insufficiency (OR 10.46 95% CI 1.98–55.22), interdigital intertrigo (OR 8.86; 95% CI 3.33-23.56), eczema (OR 5.74; 95% CI 0.96.–34.21), and limb edema (OR 3.95; 95% CI 1.82–8.59) were the significant risk factors for lower limb cellulitis. Conclusion: Previous cellulitis and factors causing skin barrier disruption such as sole anomalies, ulceration, venous insufficiency, eczema, intertrigo, and limb edema were the risk factors for lower limb cellulitis. Physician awareness, early detection, and treatment of these factors at the primary care level may prevent hospital admission and morbidity associated with cellulitis.https://e-mfp.org/wp-content/uploads/v15n1-original-article-3.pdfcellulitisrisk factorsmalaysia |
| spellingShingle | Norazirah Md Nor Khor Inn Shih Adawiyah Jamil Azmi Mohd Tamil Azmawati Mohd Naw The risk factors of lower limb cellulitis: A case-control study in a tertiary centre Malaysian Family Physician cellulitis risk factors malaysia |
| title | The risk factors of lower limb cellulitis: A case-control study in a tertiary centre |
| title_full | The risk factors of lower limb cellulitis: A case-control study in a tertiary centre |
| title_fullStr | The risk factors of lower limb cellulitis: A case-control study in a tertiary centre |
| title_full_unstemmed | The risk factors of lower limb cellulitis: A case-control study in a tertiary centre |
| title_short | The risk factors of lower limb cellulitis: A case-control study in a tertiary centre |
| title_sort | risk factors of lower limb cellulitis a case control study in a tertiary centre |
| topic | cellulitis risk factors malaysia |
| url | https://e-mfp.org/wp-content/uploads/v15n1-original-article-3.pdf |
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