Table 2. Type of infection and outcomes of the study patients.
| Variables | Total patients (n = 48) | Serious outcome group (n = 9) | Non-serious outcome group (n = 39) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type of infection | 0.004 | ||||
| Cellulitis without abscess | 21 (43.8) | 0 (0) | 21 (53.8) | ||
| Cellulitis with abscess | 2 (4.2) | 0 (0) | 2 (5.1) | ||
| Necrotizing fasciitis | 11 (22.9) | 5 (55.6) | 6 (15.4) | ||
| Septic arthritis | 5 (10.4) | 0 (0) | 5 (12.8) | ||
| Osteomyelitis | 9 (18.8) | 4 (44.4) | 5 (12.8) | ||
| Septic shock | 2 (4.2) | 2 (22.2) | 0 (0) | 0.032 | |
| Culture examinationa | 37 | 9 | 28 | 0.024 | |
| Positive | 16 (43.2) | 7 (77.8) | 9 (32.1) | ||
| Negative | 21 (56.8) | 2 (22.2) | 19 (67.9) | ||
| Required therapeutic treatments | |||||
| Oral antibiotics | 34 (70.8) | 7 (77.8) | 27 (69.2) | > 0.990 | |
| Intravenous antibiotics | 36 (75.0) | 9 (100.0) | 27 (69.2) | 0.088 | |
| Operation with local anaesthesiab | 8 (16.7) | 4 (44.4) | 4 (10.3) | 0.031 | |
| Operation with general anaesthesia | 4 (8.3) | 3 (33.3) | 1 (2.6) | 0.017 | |
| Hospitalization to the general ward | 36 (75.0) | 9 (100.0) | 27 (69.2) | 0.088 | |
| Admitted at the ICU | 4 (8.3) | 4 (44.4) | 0 (0) | 0.001 | |
| Duration of hospitalizationc, day | 11.0 (0.0–47.5) | 78.0 (47.5–110.0) | 6.5 (0.0–28.3) | < 0.001 | |
| Duration of total treatmentc, day | 29.0 (8.0–79.0) | 139.0 (49.0–183.5) | 14.0 (7.0–34.0) | < 0.001 | |
Values are expressed as median (interquartile range) or as number (%).
ICU = intensive care unit.
aCulture examination such as blood, pus and tissue was not performed for 11 patients in the non-serious outcome group; bOperation with local anaesthesia represents debridement and/or incision and drainage; cThree patients in the non-serious outcome group were excluded because of transfer to another hospital.