Cellulitis study

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Experiences of cellulitis and views about causation and prevention: qualitative interview study and survey

• IRAS ID

  206992

• Contact name

  Miriam Santer

• Contact email

  M.Santer@soton.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Southampton

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 3 months, 30 days

• Research summary

  BACKGROUND
  Cellulitis is a painful bacterial infection of the skin and underlying tissues, usually as a result of breaks in the skin allowing bacteria to get through. Cellulitis of the lower leg is particularly common where skin breaks can be caused by fungal foot disease (Athlete’s Foot), which is often untreated or un-noticed. Skin breaks can also be caused by inadequate foot care leading to dry, cracked skin.
  Approximately a third of people with cellulitis have repeated episodes. The only treatment shown to reduce the risk of recurrence is long-term antibiotics, which can cause antibiotic resistance and side effects.

  AIM
  We aim to develop strategies to reduce the risk of recurrent cellulitis in order to avoid antibiotic use for this condition. To help us design this study, we will interview people who have had cellulitis to find out more about their views around causation and experiences of preventing recurrence.

  METHODS
  We will ask people to take part in interviews and a survey about cellulitis by inviting them through their general practice, inviting people attending hospital with cellulitis or through advertising. Interviews will follow an interview guide to ensure we cover key aims, while also remaining open to exploring participants’ concerns.

  PATIENT AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
  Patients have been involved in the design of this study through the Centre of Evidence-Based Dermatology Patient Panel, UK Dermatology Clinical Trials Network and Research Design Service.

  IMPLICATIONS
  We are planning a study to test prevention strategies for cellulitis. If effective, these could reduce cellulitis recurrence rates and reduce the use of antibiotics for this painful condition. This interview study will help to investigate whether the prevention strategies we plan to test are feasible for patients to use in the long term, or whether adaptations are needed prior to testing.

• REC name

  East Midlands - Leicester South Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  16/EM/0306

• Date of REC Opinion

  18 Jul 2016

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion