Severity assessment of skin and soft tissue infections: cohort study of management and outcomes for hospitalized patients

Charis Marwick (Lead / Corresponding author), Janice Broomhall, Colin McCowan, Gabby Phillips, Sebastian Gonzalez-McQuire, Kasem Akhras, Sanjay Merchant, Dilip Nathwani, Peter Davey

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    95 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Background: Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are caused by bacterial invasion of the skin and underlying soft tissues and can present with a wide spectrum of signs, symptoms and illness severity. They are a common indication for antimicrobial therapy. However, there are few data on treatment outcomes or the validity of clinical severity scores. Methods: Two hundred and five adult patients admitted to Ninewells Hospital, Scotland in 2005, and treated with antibiotics for SSTI, were identified. They were stratified into four classes of severity (class IV=most severe) based on sepsis, co-morbidity and their standardized early warning score (SEWS). Empirical antimicrobial therapy by severity class was compared with the recommendations of a UK guideline. Results: Thirty-five different empirical antimicrobial regimens were prescribed. Overall, 43% of patients were over-treated, this being particularly common in the lowest severity class I (65% patients). Thirty-day mortality was 9% (18/205) and 17 patients (8%) died during their index admission. Mortality (30 day) and inadequate therapy increased with severity class: I, no sepsis or co-morbidity (45% patients, 1% mortality, 14% therapy inadequate); II, significant co-morbidity but no sepsis (32% patients, 11% mortality, 39% therapy inadequate); III, sepsis but SEWS <4 (17% of patients, 17% mortality, 39% therapy inadequate); and IV, sepsis plus SEWS =4 (6% of patients, 33% mortality, 92% therapy inadequate).

    Conclusions SSTI in hospital is associated with significant mortality. Choice of empirical therapy is not evidence based, with significant under-treatment of severely ill patients.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)387-397
    Number of pages11
    JournalJournal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
    Volume66
    Issue number2
    Early online date5 Oct 2010
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Feb 2011

    Keywords

    • Cellulitis
    • Sepsis
    • SSTIs
    • Staphylococcus aureus
    • Staphylococcal infections
    • MRSA

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Severity assessment of skin and soft tissue infections: cohort study of management and outcomes for hospitalized patients'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this