Significantly reduced duration of antibiotic prescription for erysipelas subsequent to the 2019 French guidelines on skin and soft tissue infection: A before-after study

Abstract

Background: New skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) guidelines were published in 2019 in France, changing the recommended duration for antibiotic treatment. The objective of the present study was to assess the impact of the publication of the 2019 French guidelines on SSTIs on the duration of antibiotic prescription for erysipelas.

Methods: In a before-after study (a year before and a year after April 1st, 2019), we included all adult patients diagnosed with erysipelas in Reims University Hospital medical wards and the emergency department. We retrospectively retrieved antibiotic prescription duration in the patients' medical files.

Results: Among 50 patients in the "before" and 39 in the "after" group, the mean duration of antibiotic prescription was significantly shorter in the "after" group (9.4 ± 2.8 vs. 12.4 ± 3.8 days, p = 0.0001).

Conclusions: A 25% decrease in the duration of antibiotic prescription for erysipelas was observed following the implementation of these guidelines, providing useful information for an antibiotic stewardship policy.

Keywords: Antibiotic duration; Cellulitis; Erysipelas; Guidelines; Skin and soft tissue infection.