[Erysipelas--course of disease, recurrence, complications; a 10 years retrospective study].

OBJECT: we studied erysipelas by conducting a retrospective analysis of 319 patients with erysipelas treated in Dermatology Department Jagiellonian University in Krakow between 1994 and 2004.

METHODS

we performed a retrospective analysis of 319 patients hospitalized for erysipelas in our institution during a 10 year period. The statistical significance was examined by chi square and Kruskal-Wallis test (significant value p< or =0.05).

RESULTS

there were 35% males and 65% females patients. Median age was 63 years. Most of the female patients were pensioners (32.7%), most of the male patients were physical workers (40.5%). Summer time was the most frequent season for hospitalization (32.3%), and winter time was the rarest (17%). Most of the erysipelas has involved the lower limb (59.2%). There was significant dependence between the regional risk factors and occupation. The recurrent cases occurred in 67.3% cases with lower limb localisation in 69.44% cases. The most rare recurrent cases found on upper limb (6%). The systemic risk factors were associated with recurrent erysipelas in 69.44%. Complications, such as abscess formation, lymphangitis, venous insufficiency, osteitis, arthritis, septic tendonitis and elephantiasis were found in 25%.

CONCLUSIONS

after review of the literature and our experiences it is clear that there is a strong need for interdisciplinary treatment to avoid various potential complications of erysipelas.