The Use of Oral Steroids in the Treatment of Cellulitis
Information source: Penn State University
Information obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov on October 19, 2009
Link to the current ClinicalTrials.gov record.
Condition(s) targeted: Cellulitis; Erysipelas
Intervention: Prednisone (Drug)
Phase: Phase 2
Status: Not yet recruiting
Sponsored by: Penn State University Official(s) and/or principal investigator(s):
Scott Goldstein, DO, Principal Investigator, Affiliation: Penn State
Overall contact:
Scott Goldstein, DO, Phone: 717-531-8955, Ext: opt 5, Email: sgoldstein1@hmc.psu.edu
Summary
The prevalence of cellulitis in society is very high, as much as 3% of visits to Emergency
Departments are for the treatment of this disease. The treatment of cellulitis varies
depending on the severity. Low severity cases are treated with pain control and antibiotics
by mouth and high severity are treated with antibiotics intravenously and pain control. The
investigator's hypothesis is to see if the addition of steroids, which are known to decrease
inflammation, will decrease the length of the disease process. If so, it will decrease the
length of stay if IV antibiotics are needed, it will decrease duration of days out of work
and decrease the overall pain control required and therefore patient satisfaction.
Clinical Details
Official title: Utility of Prednisone in the Treatment of Cellulitis
Study design: Treatment, Randomized, Double Blind (Subject, Outcomes Assessor), Placebo Control, Parallel Assignment, Efficacy Study
Primary outcome: Time to cellulitis resolving
Secondary outcome: Length of stay
Detailed description:
The incidence of cellulitis is about 24. 6 cases per 1000 person-years, which is an estimate,
since cellulitis is not a reportable disease. In some Emergency Departments up to 3% of
visits are for cellulitis. Depending on the severity of the disease, some are treated as
outpatients, and others are admitted for IV antibiotics. In some Emergency Departments cases
of cellulitis are treated in an observation area for 23 hours with doses of IV antibiotics.
My proposed research is to see if the addition of one dose of prednisone the treatment will
decrease the inflammatory reaction enough to decrease length of stay and treatment and
increase patient satisfaction.
Eligibility
Minimum age: 18 Years.
Maximum age: 70 Years.
Gender(s): Both.
Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:
- 18-70 years old
- signs/symptoms of cellulitis
Exclusion Criteria:
- steroid use in last 2 weeks
- hx of adrenal insufficiency
- suspicion for dvt or abcess
- systemic signs of sepsis
- ICU admission
Locations and Contacts
Scott Goldstein, DO, Phone: 717-531-8955, Ext: opt 5, Email: sgoldstein1@hmc.psu.edu Additional Information
Starting date: September 2009
Ending date: July 2010
Last updated: May 4, 2009
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