Lower limb cellulitis: low diagnostic accuracy and underdiagnosis of risk factors. (25th February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mistry, K.; Sutherland, M.; Levell, N. J.
• Is Part Of: Clinical and experimental dermatology. Volume 44:Number 5(2019)
• Page Start: e193
• Page End: e195
• Publication Date: 2019-02-25
• Subjects: Skin -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.5
• DOI: 10.1111/ced.13930
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0307-6938

Abstract

Summary: Accurate diagnosis and recognition of predisposing factors has been shown to be challenging in lower limb cellulitis (LLC). Assessment of 1746 consecutive patients with cellulitis presenting to a UK university hospital showed increasing overdiagnosis, with only 31.9% of patients referred during the period 2015–2018 having the diagnosis of LLC confirmed. Recognition of at least one predisposing factor increased from 61% to 89% following introduction of more specific screening questions. This identified a need for better primary care dermatology education and the benefit of a proforma with specific screening questions for reversible predisposing factors for LLC.