# WHAT IS THE EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF ACUTE HAND INFECTIONS AT A HOSPITAL IN SAO PAULO?

## TL;DR

This study examines the characteristics and treatment outcomes of acute hand infections at a hospital in Sao Paulo, focusing on patient demographics and antibiotic effectiveness.

## Contribution

The study provides insights into the epidemiological profile and antibiotic treatment efficacy for hand infections in a specific urban hospital setting.

## Key findings

- Most patients with hand infections were male, with common comorbidities like diabetes and HIV.
- Staphylococcus aureus was the most common infectious agent, and over 60% of patients needed a change in initial antibiotic treatment.
- Beta-lactam antibiotics and Quinolones showed the highest efficacy in treating these infections.

## Abstract

To determine the epidemiological profile of patients treated at a philanthropic hospital specialized in Orthopedics and Traumatology, located in a significant urban center, and evaluate the efficacy of initial empirical antibiotic treatment.

Patients diagnosed with hand infections from September 2020 to September 2022 were included, excluding cases related to open fractures or post-surgical infections and those with incomplete medical records. The chi-square test was performed using STATISTICA ® software to correlate various variables.

A total of 34 patients participated, including 24 men and 10 women, with an average age of 41.9 years. Most male patients had Diabetes Mellitus, HIV, and drug addiction, and they resided in urban areas. Half of the patients did not report any apparent trauma. The most common infectious agent was Staphylococcus aureus*. Nearly 62% of patients required a change in the initial antibiotic regimen, with Penicillin being the most frequently substituted medication. Beta-lactam antibiotics and Quinolones were the most effective.

These results suggest the importance of carefully evaluating the epidemiological profile of patients with acute hand infections and improving initial empirical treatment to ensure appropriate and effective therapy.
Level of Evidence IV, Cross-Sectional Observational Study.