title: [Survey of general practitioners management of erysipelas].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A few studies only have focused on ambulatory management of erysipelas.
  
  
  METHODS
  To assess the diagnostic and therapeutic management of erysipelas by general practitioners, and their adherence to the French Society of Infectious Diseases and Dermatology joint 2000 recommendations, we surveyed 114 general practitioners during a 1 year period (from May 1st, 2005 to April 30th, 2006).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-three general practitioners accepted to participate to the study and 54 cases of erysipelas were reported. Median age of patients was 63 years (range, 18-94) and sex ratio was 0.77. Lower limbs were affected in 83% out of the cases. A skin lesion was reported in 65% of the cases. None of the 15 doppler ultrasonography that were performed identified deep vein thrombosis. Five patients (9%) were initially hospitalized. Only 18% out of the patients were treated by amoxicillin. Most prescribed antimicrobial agents were pristinamycin (31%) and amoxicillin-clavulanate (27%). Median duration of treatment was 10 days. Six patients received an anti-inflammatory drug. Among the 44 patients who had a follow-up visit, 37 patients (84%) recovered and two patients were hospitalized after this follow-up assessment. Two patients experienced a recurrence of erysipelas during the study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As previously reported in the literature, outcome of erysipelas after ambulatory management remains excellent, although recommendations are poorly followed.
authors.affiliation: Service de médecine interne, hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Larivière
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blavot-Delépine
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fantin
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lefort
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003625:Data Collection; D018450:Disease Progression; D004886:Erysipelas / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011379:Prognosis; D055815:Young Adult