Epidemiology and risk factors for recurrent severe lower limb cellulitis: a longitudinal cohort study

Abstract

LLC recurrences are frequent, and each episode increases the likelihood of subsequent recurrence and length of hospitalization. These data provide context and scope to develop workable and effective strategies to prevent secondary episodes for all cases of primary LLC.

Increasing incidence of invasive group A streptococcal disease in Western Australia, particularly among Indigenous people

“…11 Regional, climate-based, and demographic variation in healthrelated variables can accordingly be explored in WA, as in our previous investigation of lower leg cellulitis, based on linked hospital and emergency department data. [12][13][14] Differences between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in GAS disease burden have previously been reported. 2 In this investigation, we quantified the burden of invasive GAS infections in WA during 2000-2018 in terms of incidence, length of hospital stay, and all-cause mortality for the two population groups.…”

“…The climate of the Kimberley and Pilbara regions is tropical, and the proportion of Indigenous people is higher here than in other WA regions (2016: Kimberley, 42%; Pilbara, 14%) 11 . Regional, climate‐based, and demographic variation in health‐related variables can accordingly be explored in WA, as in our previous investigation of lower leg cellulitis, based on linked hospital and emergency department data 12‐14 …”

Seasonal and regional patterns of lower leg cellulitis in Western Australia

“…Several factors could contribute to an increased risk of LLC during summer. Lower limb pathologies including varicose veins, lymphoedema and tinea pedis as well as conditions such as congestive heart failure and obesity that result in larger legs are independently associated with primary LLC and recurrence . In particular, patients with venous insufficiency commonly report a worsening of swelling during summer and warm weather, perhaps due to local vasodilatation and tissue salt concentration changes with sweating .…”

Should we use ethnicity as a risk factor for infection?

“…In articles published in CMI (e.g. Reid et al [1] or Cannon et al [2]) and in other journals (e.g. Foss et al [3], Danino et al [4] or Reekie et al [5]) ethnicity has been used as a risk factor for infection.…”