Risk Factors Associated with Occurrence of Cellulitis in Critically Ill Patients with Fulminant Hepatic Failure

Abstract

Background: Cellulitis is the one of common infectious cause of limb swelling that should be distinguished from the other skin inflammation. One of the most common of infection disease in liver cirrhosis that occurs in 10.5-12.5% and lead to high morbidity and mortality that may require hospital readmissions for quick diagnosis and effective treatment. Design: A descriptive study design was used. Setting(s): This study was recruited in the intensive care units at Damanhour Medical National institute hospital. Participants: A convenience sample of 80 newly admitted patients diagnosed with an acute liver failure were included herein. Tool of data collection: One tool included in this study and consisted of three parts. Cellulitis risk factors structured assessment tool used to assess the critically hepatic patients' risk factors for development of cellulites. Results: On the first and second days of the study, almost 55% of the patients were grade II, and on the third day, 55% were grade IV. The study group's Dundee classification cellulitis showed a significant relationship with the patients' sex (p = 0.043), length of time spent in the intensive care unit (p = 0.012), history of cardiovascular disease, prior cellulitis, and chronic venous insufficiency (p = 0.032). The oldest patients, those over 65, also showed a significant relationship between the increase in severity of Dundee classification cellulitis on the third day (p = 0.05). Conclusions: The risk factors linked to an increase in the severity of cellulitis may be divided into local and general variables, such as changes in the circulation in the lower limbs and skin conditions. Recommendations: Early identification for high-risk groups for cellulitis on acute live failure patients and early prevention can reduce risk for recurrent attack. Skin and foot care protocols should be educated and used for caring those patients.