Chronic Dermatomycoses of the Foot as Risk Factors for Acute Bacterial Cellulitis of the Leg: A Case-Control Study

Vol. 209, No. 4, 2004

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Clinical and Laboratory Investigations

Chronic Dermatomycoses of the Foot as Risk Factors for Acute Bacterial Cellulitis of the Leg: A Case-Control Study
Jean-Claude Roujeau^a, Bardur Sigurgeirsson^c, Hans-Christian Korting^d, Helmut Kerl^e, Carle Paul^b,f

^aService de Dermatologie, Hôpital Henri-Mondor, Créteil, et
^bService de Dermatologie, Hôpital E.-Mueller, Mulhouse, France;
^cLandspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland;
^dDermatological Clinic and Outpatients' Clinic, University of Munich, Munich, Germany;
^eDepartment of Dermatology and Venereology, University Clinic, Graz, Austria;
^fClinical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland

Address of Corresponding Author

Dermatology 2004;209:301-307 (DOI: 10.1159/000080853)

Key Words

Tinea pedis
Onychomycosis
Foot dermatomycosis
Bacterial cellulitis
Risk factors

Abstract

Objective: To assess the role of foot dermatomycosis (tinea pedis and onychomycosis) and other candidate risk factors in the development of acute bacterial cellulitis of the leg. Methods: A case-control study, including 243 patients (cases) with acute bacterial cellulitis of the leg and 467 controls, 2 per case, individually matched for gender, age (±5 years), hospital and admission date (±2 months). Results: Overall, mycology-proven foot dermatomycosis was a significant risk factor for acute bacterial cellulitis (odds ratio, OR: 2.4; p < 0.001), as were tinea pedis interdigitalis (OR: 3.2; p < 0.001), tinea pedis plantaris (OR: 1.7; p = 0.005) and onychomycosis (OR: 2.2; p < 0.001) individually. Other risk factors included: disruption of the cutaneous barrier, history of bacterial cellulitis, chronic venous insufficiency and leg oedema. Conclusions: Tinea pedis and onychomycosis were found to be significant risk factors for acute bacterial cellulitis of the leg that are readily amenable to treatment with effective pharmacological therapy.

Author Contacts

Prof. J.-C. Roujeau
Service de Dermatologie, Hôpital Henri-Mondor
FR-940100 Créteil (France)
Tel. +33 149 812510, Fax +33 149 814504
E-Mail jean-claude.roujeau@hmn.ap-hop-paris.fr

Article Information

Competing Interests: B.S., J.C.R., H.C.K., H.K. and C.P. have received funds for research and been reimbursed for attending conferences by Novartis Pharma AG. C.P. is an employee of Novartis Pharma AG.

Received: May 6, 2004
Accepted: August 5, 2004
Number of Print Pages : 7
Number of Figures : 3, Number of Tables : 3, Number of References : 13

Medline Abstract (ID 15539893)

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