Risk factors of acute cellulitis in adult patients: A case-control study

Cellulitis is a common medical condition with different severity varies from mild to life threatening disease. The identification of preventable risk factors could reduce morbidity and mortality from this disease and improve patient management. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors associated with cellulitis in adult patients. We conducted a case-control study of 102 adult subjects with cellulitis and the same number of controls who were admitted to two university affiliated hospitals. Data were obtained with a questionnaire and from examination of patients. Two groups were matched based on age (p=0.717) and gender (p=0.661). The most common site of cellulitis was lower extremities (56.9%). The pack-year smoking and duration of smoking was significantly higher in patients with cellulitis (p=0<001). Logistic regression analysis showed that recent trauma (OR=55.8, 95% CI: 11.2-278.4, p<0.001), history of recent surgery (OR=6.3, 95% CI: 1.7-23.7, p=0.006), body mass index(OR=1.38, 95% CI: 1.22-1.57, p<0.001) and diabetes mellitus(OR=3.02, 95% CI: 1.17-7.81, p=0.022) was significantly associated with development of cellulitis. No association was observed between corticosteroid use and risk of cellulitis (p=0.158). Our study showed that the most important risk factors for cellulitis in adult include trauma, recent surgery, high body mass index, diabetes mellitus and smoking. Therefore, it is recommended that protection against trauma, controlling of blood glucose levels, reducing body weight and smoking cessation may lead to reducing incidence of cellulitis.