Objective:
Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rapidly progressive and life-threatening infection requires emergent operation. In current study, we aim to evaluate the risk factors, microbiology profile and outcomes in NF.
Materials and Methods:
Patients diagnosed with NF and fully treated in our hospital were included from January 1, 2012 to June 30, 2020. General characteristics, co-morbidities, microbiology specimens and outcomes were collected. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to identify factors associated with mortality.
Results:
A total of 233 patients diagnosed with NF were analyzed. Multivariate Cox analysis revealed that cirrhosis, chronic kidney disease and autoimmune disease were associated with increased mortality; while diabetes mellitus (DM) and presence of explicit trauma history were associated with decreased mortality. Patients with DM were associated with higher rate of amputation, worse lab data at admission, higher laboratory risk indicator for NF score (LRINEC) and higher rate of polymicrobial culture data especially Streptococcus agalactiae and Klebsiella pneumonia. Non-survival patients had less hospital stay, less duration of antibiotics treatment and lower rate of graft or flap reconstruction method.
Conclusions:
Although diabetics patients are more susceptible to NF, they appeared to have lower mortality rate compared to those without DM. Our study warrants further investigation in the potential role of DM in NF.

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