Socio-economic profile of patients with community-acquired skin and soft tissue infections in Delhi

Abstract

Aim:To study the socio-demographic and clinical profile of patients with community-acquired skin and soft tissue infections (CA-SSTIs).Methods:This study was a cross sectional, observational study. Patients with CA-SSTIs (ICD-10 L00-L08) were enrolled from February to August 2013. Clinical and microbiological data of all patients were recorded. Socioeconomic status (SES) of each patient was calculated using the Modified Kuppuswamy Scale.Results:Seventy-three patients were studied, of whom 45 had SSTIs caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Of the 45, 11 (24%) were methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and 34 (76%) were methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA). Patients with MRSA infections had significantly lower monthly income and lower educational status than those with MSSA infections. However, SES was not significantly different in the two groups.Conclusion:S. aureus was the most common cause of CA-SSTIs, of which, MRSA was isolated in 24% of the cases. Patients with MRSA SSTIs had significantly lesser family income and lower education levels compared to patients with MSSA SSTIs.