Ethnicity and other risk factors for acute lower limb cellulitis: a U.K.-based prospective case-control study.
BACKGROUND
Acute lower limb cellulitis is a common yet potentially serious condition. Previous studies have identified risk factors in the non-U.K. population. Ethnicity has been postulated as a possible risk factor but has not previously been investigated.


OBJECTIVE
To identify risk factors for acute lower limb cellulitis in the U.K. population.


METHODS
One hundred and fifty consecutive patients with cellulitis requiring hospital admission and 300 controls were recruited to this prospective case-control study. Controls were matched for age and sex.


RESULTS
Strongly predictive risk factors for acute lower limb cellulitis in the U.K. include being of white ethnicity and preceding episodes of injury to the affected leg. No systemic illnesses were identified as increasing an individual's risk of presenting with cellulitis.


CONCLUSIONS
This study has identified that patients of white ethnicity are at higher risk of developing acute lower limb cellulitis compared with other ethnic groups. The importance of local risk factors has also been shown in the U.K. population.
Halpern
J
J
Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of North Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 7PA, UK. James_Halpern@hotmail.com
Holder
R
R
Langford
N J
NJ
D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D004739:England / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors