Primary and Recurrent Erysipelas-Epidemiological Patterns in a Single-Centre Retrospective Analysis

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Infectious Diseases
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Erysipelas is an acute bacterial skin infection often affecting lower limbs and prone to recurrence.
• Limited data exists on demographic, epidemiological risk factors, and hospitalization determinants for erysipelas.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze epidemiological and clinical characteristics of hospitalized patients with primary and recurrent erysipelas.
• To identify risk factors for disease onset, recurrence, and prolonged hospitalization.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective single-center study of 239 hospitalized erysipelas patients.
• Data collection included demographics, lesion location, laboratory markers, comorbidities, and outcomes.
• Statistical analysis assessed associations between risk factors, recurrence, and hospitalization duration.

Main Results:

• Lower limbs were most affected (85.4%); recurrence was high (75.7%).
• Hypertension, diabetes type 2, and obesity were common comorbidities.
• Obesity, dyslipidemia, atrial fibrillation, and elevated WBC count were linked to recurrence and/or prolonged hospitalization.

Conclusions:

• Primary and recurrent erysipelas have distinct risk factors.
• Metabolic syndrome components (obesity, dyslipidemia) are significant for recurrence.
• Inflammation markers and comorbidities prolong hospitalization; further multicenter studies are needed.