Burden, risk factors and infectious complications of cellulitis and erysipelas in United States adults and children in the emergency department setting.

Little is known about the utilization and burden of emergency department (ED) visits for cellulitis/erysipelas in the United States.
To determine the prevalence, risk factors, complications and cost of emergency care for cellulitis/erysipelas in the US.
Cross-sectional study of the 2006-2016 National Emergency Department Sample, including a 20% sample of US ED visits (n=320,080,467).
The mean annual incidence of ED visits with a primary diagnosis of cellulitis/erysipelas was 2.42-3.55 per-million adult and 1.14-2.09 per-million pediatric ED visits. ED visits for cellulitis/erysipelas decreased significantly from 2006 to 2015 (Rao-Scott Chi-square, P<0.0001). ED visits with vs. without a primary diagnosis of cellulitis/erysipelas were associated with public or no insurance, lower household income-quartiles, and more likely to occur during weekends and summer months. The mean cost of ED visits for cellulitis/erysipelas more than doubled in adults ($720-$1,680) and tripled in children ($939-$2,823) from 2006-2016. ED visits for cellulitis/erysipelas were associated with multiple risk factors and increased infectious complications.
No data on cellulitis and erysipelas treatment or recurrence.
There is a substantial and increasing burden of ED visits for cellulitis/erysipelas in the US. Many ED visits occurred for uncomplicated cellulitis/erysipelas, in part due to healthcare disparities.

Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Inc.