Incidence and risk factors of the secondary skin infections in patients with radiodermatitis

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Altoparlak Ü., Koca Ö., Koca T.

The Euroasian Journal of Medicine, cilt.43, sa.4, ss.177-181, 2011 (ESCI)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 43 Sayı: 4
  • Basım Tarihi: 2011
  • Dergi Adı: The Euroasian Journal of Medicine
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI)
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.177-181
  • Akdeniz Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Objective: The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the

incidence and risk factors of secondary infected radiodermatitis in

patients receiving radiotherapy and to determine isolated microorganisms’

resistance profiles to different antimicrobial agents.

Materials and Methods: The study comprised 62 patients admitted

to the Regional Training and Research Hospital from January 2009 to

January 2010. Radiodermatitis was graded according to the National

Cancer Institute’s Common Toxicity Criteria version 3.0. Potential risk

factors for secondary infection were recorded and evaluated by univariate

and multivariate analyses.

Results: In 62 patients, grade 1, 2, 3 and 4 radiodermatitis were observed

in 33 (53.2%), 11 (17.7%), 8 (12.9%) and 10 (16.2%) patients,

respectively. Skin infection secondary to radiodermatitis occurred

in 14 patients (infected patients), 21.4%, 21.4% and 57.2% of whom

had grade 2, 3 and 4 radiodermatitis, respectively. Forty-eight patients

were found to be colonized with micoorganisms (colonized

patients). In the univariate analysis, concurrent endocrine therapy

and radiodermatitis grade differed significantly between infected

and colonized patients (p<0.05). Multivariate analyses showed that

the radiodermatitis grade was an independent risk factor for the

acquisition of infection (p<0.05). The microbial pathogens isolated

from patients with skin infection were seven methicillin-resistant coagulase-

negative Staphylococcus (MRCNS) strains, three methicillinresistant

Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains, two Candida sp., one

methicillin-sensitive coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (MSCNS)

strain and one methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) strain. Staphylococci

strains were more resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics. No glycopeptide

resistance was found.

Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that high-grade radiodermatitis

leads to an increased risk for secondary infection of the

skin with pathogens.

Key Words: Colonization, Radiodermatitis, Risk factors, Secondary

skin infection