[Erysipelas--course of disease, recurrence, complications; a 10 years retrospective study].
OBJECTIVE
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.
Wojas-Pelc
Anna
A
Katedra i Klinika Dermatologii Collegium Medicum Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego w Krakowie. wojaspelca@su.krakow.pl
Alekseenko
Ana
A
Jaworek
Andrzej Kazimierz
AK
D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D015897:Comorbidity; D004886:Erysipelas / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007868:Leg Dermatoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index