title: A double-blind randomized controlled trial of ibuprofen compared to placebo for uncomplicated cellulitis of the upper or lower limb.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cellulitis is a common skin infection resulting in inflammation that may take weeks to resolve despite appropriate antibiotics. It is unclear whether the adjunctive use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs hastens the resolution of inflammation in patients with cellulitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a double-blind, randomized controlled trial comparing ibuprofen 400 mg three times daily for 5 days with identical placebo in adults with uncomplicated cellulitis of the upper or lower limb who were treated with intravenous cefazolin via an outpatient parenteral antibiotic treatment service at one of two Australian hospitals. Participants were assessed twice daily by a study nurse. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of patients with regression of inflammation 48 hours after the first effective dose of parenteral antibiotics (trial registration ANZCTR 12611000515998).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-one patients were enrolled; 48 had sufficient data available to be included in the modified intention-to-treat analysis. Inflammation had begun to regress at 48 hours in 20 participants (80%) in the ibuprofen group compared to 15 (65%) in the placebo group (absolute risk difference +15%; 95% confidence interval -10 to +40; p >0.05). There was no significant difference in any secondary outcome. Ibuprofen appeared safe, with no patients developing renal impairment or necrotizing fasciitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This trial demonstrated no significant benefit of adjunctive ibuprofen in adults with uncomplicated cellulitis. The trial was powered to detect a large effect, and hence it is unclear whether the 15% absolute increase in the primary end point in the ibuprofen group was attributable to chance.
authors.affiliation: Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research and Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, John Hunter Hospital and the University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Electronic address: Joshua.Davis@menzies.edu.au.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: Hospital in the Home Program, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mackrow
authors.affiliation: Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research and Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Binks
authors.affiliation: Hospital in the Home Program, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Fletcher
authors.affiliation: Katherine Rural Clinical School, Flinders University, Katherine, Northern Territory, Australia.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dettwiller
authors.affiliation: Hospital in the Home Program, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.affiliation: Hospital in the Home Program, Shoalhaven Hospital, Nowra, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Day
authors.affiliation: Hospital in the Home Program, Shoalhaven Hospital, Nowra, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Pratt
authors.affiliation: Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research and Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia; Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, and the University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: S Y C
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Tong
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015415:Biomarkers; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D015415:Biomarkers; D007052:Ibuprofen
keywords: Cellulitis; Ibuprofen; Randomized