Determining the clinico-demographic-etiologic profile of lower limb cellulitis in non-diabetics: a cross sectional study

Abstract

Objective: To determinine the clinico-demographic-etiologic profile of lower limb cellulitis in non-diabetics Methods: This prospective study was conducted among 38 non-diabetic patients with lower limb cellulitis attended the Department of General Surgery of Government Hospital Sarwal, Jammu, India. The severity of cellulitis was graded as per the CREST guidelines. Results: Mean age of the study population was 46.21 years. Cellulitis was more common in females (55.3%) and old age group. It was more unilateral (73.7%) and resulted more from post bite wounds (26.3%). 44.7% of the patients required wound debridement alone followed by of them wound debridement with fasciotomy (21.1%), while (5.3%) of patients required amputation. Conclusions: Non-diabetic elderly patients are at higher risk of development of cellulites. Recognition of cellulites in early stages can minimize hospital admission and expenditure.