Physical Health outcomes in necrotizing fasciitis patients: A population-based longitudinal administrative study

Abstract

Introduction: Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is associated with extensive surgery, amputations, and prolonged hospitalization that may increase stress on a patient and have deleterious consequences. A complicated medical history has been implicated in NF. What is not known is whether or not NF results in an increased incidence of physical health outcomes and healthcare utilization in NF patients in the years after the infection compared to before NF diagnosis. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that the incidence of common physical health outcomes and health care utilization due to these outcomes will be significantly higher among the NF cohort than a matched control cohort. Methods: We have identified approximately 180 NF patients that will meet inclusion criteria. Cases will be matched 1:5 with controls from the general population based on age, sex and geographical region and physical ambulatory diagnostic group (indicator of number of co-morbidities). Outcomes will be both recorded diagnoses and health care utilization for the 2 years’ duration prior compared to the 2 years’ duration post NF injury. Expected Results: We expect that NF patients will have a significantly higher incidence of common physical health outcomes and health care utilization compared to the match control cohort 2 years pre- and post-NF injury.