Incidence of erysipela of the lower limbs in a spa resort: efficacy of an educative strategy (La Lechere : 1992-1997).

Objective : Erysipela is a common skin infection readily found in patients with venous insufficiency or lymphedema. The aim of this work was to measur e the incidence of erysipela in a spa resort specialized in the treatment o f venous and lymphatic diseases and to evaluate the influence of a preventi ve strategy principally based on education of patients at risk. Patients and methods : The measurement of incidence was based on the detect ion of the reasons for which the patients did not attend their thermal care sessions. Quality control was obtained from the reports of cases diagnosed by local private and public health care centers. Results : The incidence of erysipela in this high risk population was 40.2 and 48.5 cases for 1000 persons per exposure-year in 1993 and 1994 respecti vely. The preventive strategy carried out was able to induce a reduction of 65% during the next years (p < 0.01). Conclusion : This study confirms the high incidence of erysipela in subject s with severe venous insufficiency or lymphedema and the efficacy of an act ive educational preventive strategy.