Table 1 Patient characteristics

Age (mean/range)

62 years (17–96 years)

Gender

Male 110 (55%)

Ethnicity

Caucasian 182 (91%), Maori 12(6%) and Pacific People 6 (3%)

Fever (>38 degrees Celsius on admission)

111 (56%)

Pulse (median/range)

90 (55–149)

Blood Pressure (median/range)

131/70 (88-177/50-114)

Extent of cellulitis

Below knee 132 (66%), above knee 15 (7.5%), both above and below knee 53 (25.5%)

Skin and soft tissue changes

Blistering 34 (17%), associated ulcer 34 (17%), subcutaneous haemorrhage 30 (15%), associated wound 16 (8%), abscess formation 14 (7%)

Severity markers

Acute kidney injury 28 (14%),death during admission 8 (4%), bacteraemia 7 (3.5%) (S. aureus 4, beta haemolytic streptococci 3), Intensive care admission 3 (1.5%)

Co-morbidities

Heart disease 88(44%), diabetes 48(29%), chronic respiratory disease 56 (28%), chronic renal insufficiency 46(23%), central neurological disease or peripheral neurological disease affecting the lower limbs 34(17%), previous or active cancer 30 (15%), cirrhosis 5 (2.5%).

Anti-coagulant and anti-platelet medication

Anti-platelet therapy 70 (35%), and 14 (7%) anti-coagulant therapy 14 (7%).