Mental Disorders in Necrotizing Fasciitis Compared to Matched Controls: A Longitudinal Population-Based Study
Abstract
Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is associated with extensive surgery, amputations, and
prolonged hospitalization that may increase stress on a patient and have deleterious
consequences. What is not known is whether or not NF results in an increased incidence
of mental disorders and associated healthcare utilization in the years after the infection
compared to before infection. We hypothesize that the incidence of mental health
disorders and associated health care utilization due to these outcomes will be significantly
higher among the NF cohort than a matched control cohort. We have identified
approximately 180 NF patients that will meet inclusion criteria. This clinical data is
linked with administrative data at the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy. Cases will be
matched 1:5 with controls from the general population based on age, sex and
geographical region and aggregated diagnostic group, an indicator of co-morbidities.
Outcomes will be both diagnoses and associated health care utilization for the 2 years’
duration prior compared to the 2 years’ duration post NF injury. We expect that NF
patients will have a significantly higher incidence of mental health diagnosis and
associated health care utilization compared to the match control cohort 2 years pre- and
post-NF infection.