Examining Disparities in Incidence of Cellulitis with Impact of Comorbidities on its Development: A Retrospective Observational Study

ABSTRACT

Cellulitis is a fast-spreading bacterial infection that affects dermis and subcutaneous tissue. There is erythema, warmth, swelling & tenderness at the affected area. Cellulitis is diagnosed clinically based on the presence of spreading inflammation of deep dermis and subcutaneous tissue. Aim: The study aims at the incidence of cellulitis across different age groups, duration of symptoms that last in the patients with Diabetic patients and non-diabetic patients, the risk of cellulitis in individuals with comorbid conditions. A retrospective observational study was conducted over a period of 8 months from November 2023 to June 2024. The necessary data was collected from Medical Record Department. Total 179 patients from the Vascular Department were included in the study. The data was collected and analyzed by SPSS 29.0.1.0 version. Results: The study enrolled a total 179 subject out of them 123(68.7%) were Male and 56(31.3%) were Female. Among 179 patients 109(60.9%) were Diabetic 70(39.9%) out of 179 subjects the majority age group subjects were about 60-74 age group (38.0%), followed by 45-59 age group (35.2%). Based on the wound type, 161(89.9%) were non-purulent and 18(10.1%) were purulent. Patients with symptoms less than a week were 139(77.7%) and 40(22.3%) were more than a week. Patients with different comorbid conditions were 25.7% with Hypertension and Hypertension with CAD and CVA. The study concludes that older adults (60-80years) are at the higher risk of cellulitis. It was found that Hypertension played a key role as a risk factor for the development of cellulitis.

Keywords: Cellulites, Hypertension, Diabetes, purulent, non-purulent, erythema, tenderness.