BACKGROUND: This study describes the novel use of skin surface temperature to measure the severity and the response to treatment of skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI). METHODS: Patients admitted with SSTI for intravenous antibiotic therapy. Skin temperature was measured daily at the point of maximum heat on the SSTI affected limb and the non-affected limb using a non-contact laser thermometer. FINDINGS: Sixty-three patients were included. Mean length of stay was 4.95 days. The difference between affected and unaffected limb was 3.5° C (95% CI 3.0-3.9) at day one and 2.1° C (95% CI 1.7-2.6) on the last day, a difference of 1.4° C (95% CI 0.7-1.9). Between day one and the last day, there was a significant reduction in affected limb temperature (mean reduction of 2.4° C, 95% CI 1.9-3.0 p<0.001). INTERPRETATION: Skin surface temperature may hold a useful role in the management of SSTI.
BACKGROUND: This study describes the novel use of skin surface temperature to measure the severity and the response to treatment of skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI). METHODS:Patients admitted with SSTI for intravenous antibiotic therapy. Skin temperature was measured daily at the point of maximum heat on the SSTI affected limb and the non-affected limb using a non-contact laser thermometer. FINDINGS: Sixty-three patients were included. Mean length of stay was 4.95 days. The difference between affected and unaffected limb was 3.5° C (95% CI 3.0-3.9) at day one and 2.1° C (95% CI 1.7-2.6) on the last day, a difference of 1.4° C (95% CI 0.7-1.9). Between day one and the last day, there was a significant reduction in affected limb temperature (mean reduction of 2.4° C, 95% CI 1.9-3.0 p<0.001). INTERPRETATION: Skin surface temperature may hold a useful role in the management of SSTI.
Authors: José Henrique Silvah; Cristiane Maria Mártires de Lima; Maria do Rosário Del Lama de Unamuno; Marco Antônio Alves Schetino; Luana Pereira Leite Schetino; Priscila Giácomo Fassini; Camila Fernanda Costa e Cunha Moraes Brandão; Anibal Basile-Filho; Selma Freire Carvalho da Cunha; Julio Sergio Marchini Journal: Einstein (Sao Paulo) Date: 2015 Jul-Sep
Authors: Richard Brindle; O Martin Williams; Paul Davies; Tim Harris; Heather Jarman; Alastair D Hay; Peter Featherstone Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2017-03-17 Impact factor: 2.692