Risk factors for local complications

Background and objective: A complicated course of erysipelas is not uncommo n. Bullous, haemorrhagic, necrotic and purulent lesions may be encountered. Today no reliable data exist as to which constitutional factors renders a patient at risk for developing complicated erysipelas though several risk f actors, particularly diabetes mellitus, are often suggested. Based on the a nalysis of patients with erysipelas at the Department of Dermatology in Gra z, factors determining the risk for complicated erysipelas should be identi fied. Patients/Methods: In a retrospective case-control study clinical data sheet s of 766 inpatients treated at the department were evaluated with respect t o the course of the erysipelas and with respect to potential risk factors. Results: General risk factors for local complications were location at the lower extremities, pre-existing hepatic or renal disease, hyperuricaemia,an d diabetes mellitus. Hepatic and renal disease and - to a lesser extent dia betes particularly predisposed for bullous and haemorrhagic lesions,while v ascular occlusive disease enhanced the risk for necrotic lesions. Conclusions: location and hepatic and renal disease are the most important risk factors, while diabetes is probably of less significance than previous ly suggested.