Evolution assessment of head and neck infections in diabetic patients--a case control study

Abstract

This research aimed to assess the occurrence and progression of head and neck infections in diabetic compared to non-diabetic patients. A retrospective study was carried out over a period of 10 years in 899 patients with head and neck infections. The patients who met the inclusion criteria were divided into cases and controls according to the presence/absence of diabetes. Seventy-three patients (8%, 95% CI [6.45%-10.12%]) were included in the case group and 826 (92%, 95% CI [89.87%-93.55%]) were assigned to the control group. The extension of the infection proved to be significantly (p < 0.001) higher in diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic patients. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (Mann-Whitney U statistics = 18205.500, p < 1.56 · 10(-8)). A more than 10 year history of diabetes was statistically related to a wider extent of head and neck infections (p < 0.001). Diabetes proved to be associated with large necrotic areas and the spread of head and neck infections to more than two cavities.

Keywords: Diabetes; Head and neck; Retrospective study; Septic spread; Soft tissue infections.