Penicillin to prevent recurrent leg cellulitis.
Penicillin to prevent recurrent leg cellulitis.
May 2013
Thomas KS, Crook AM, Nunn AJ, Foster KA, Mason JM, Chalmers JR, Nasr IS, Brindle RJ, English J, Meredith SK,Reynolds NJ, de Berker D, Mortimer PS, Williams HC; U.K. Dermatology Clinical Trials Network's PATCH I Trial Team.
Source
Centre of Evidence-Based Dermatology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Cellulitis of the leg is a common bacterial infection of the skin and underlying tissue. We compared prophylactic low-dose penicillin with placebo for the prevention of recurrent cellulitis.
METHODS:
We conducted a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial involving patients with two or more episodes of cellulitis of the leg who were recruited in 28 hospitals in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Randomization was performed according to a computer-generated code, and study medications (penicillin [250 mg twice a day] or placebo for 12 months) were dispensed by a central pharmacy. The primary outcome was the time to a first recurrence. Participants were followed for up to 3 years. Because the risk of recurrence was not constant over the 3-year period, the primary hypothesis was tested during prophylaxis only.
RESULTS:
A total of 274 patients were recruited. Baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups. The median time to a first recurrence of cellulitis was 626 days in the penicillin group and 532 days in the placebo group. During the prophylaxis phase, 30 of 136 participants in the penicillin group (22%) had a recurrence, as compared with 51 of 138 participants in the placebo group (37%) (hazard ratio, 0.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.35 to 0.86; P=0.01), yielding a number needed to treat to prevent one recurrent cellulitis episode of 5 (95% CI, 4 to 9). During the no-intervention follow-up period, there was no difference between groups in the rate of a first recurrence (27% in both groups). Overall, participants in the penicillin group had fewer repeat episodes than those in the placebo group (119 vs. 164, P=0.02 for trend). There was no significant between-group difference in the number of participants with adverse events (37 in the penicillin group and 48 in the placebo group, P=0.50).
CONCLUSIONS:
In patients with recurrent cellulitis of the leg, penicillin was effective in preventing subsequent attacks during prophylaxis, but the protective effect diminished progressively once drug therapy was stopped. (Funded by Action Medical Research; PATCH I Controlled-Trials.com number, ISRCTN34716921.).
PubMed
NEJM
Labels: leg cellulitis, penicillin, placebo, prophylaxis, recurrent
posted by Pat O'Connor @ 8:39 AM
3 comments
3 Comments:
health centres in Manchester are currently running a special offer which is "3 treatments for £135 instead of £270. SAVE 50%". 95% of clients get results,making life better. Seeing, advising, helping patients to ensure their issue is resolved. Offer ends on the "30th of October 2013". Does a more relaxed satisfied mind seem like a better alternative or does a a reduction in stress levels sound better or something else? Waiting times maybe present, because of the low treatment price, so consultations are best scheduled 1 week in advance or should urgency be required, evening appointments are can be made.
This is a very detailed & descriptive post, excellent!!!!! Actually I was digging up some information on this topic, as I have my aunt suffering from the similar symptoms. So planning to take her to a Skin Clinic, hence wanted some rough idea of the disease to verify things with the doctor.
What is Cellulitis. when the spreading bacterial infection happens just below the skin surface. It is commonly caused by Streptococcus pyogenes or Staphylococcus aureus. The bacteria cause the issue basically it is the inflammation of the skin cells.
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