Revisiting Fournier Gangrene: A Contemporary Epidemiological Perspective vs Perineal Cellulitis.

Introduction: We conducted a population-based analysis of Fournier gangrene (FG) to compare risk factors and mortality with those of perineal cellulitis.

Methods: We analyzed National Inpatient Sample data (2016-2020) to identify FG and perineal cellulitis cases. Demographic, comorbidity, and procedural data were extracted. Logistic models assessed risk factors of FG diagnosis and mortality.

Results: A total of 73,472 cellulitis and 9326 FG cases were identified corresponding to 74,905 (range, 63,050-79,165) and 9115 (range, 7925-11,080) median yearly weighted cases, respectively. FG diagnosis vs cellulitis was positively associated with Native American race (odds ratio [OR], 1.46; 95% CI, 1.19-1.79), weekend (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.06-1.18) or December (OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.22-1.44) admissions, diabetes mellitus (OR, 2.51; 95% CI, 2.38-2.64), and malignancy (OR, 2.29; 95% CI, 2.07-2.54). Conversely, Hispanic (OR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.74-0.85) and Asian/Pacific Islander races (OR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.69-0.99) and the highest household income quartile (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.78-0.90) were linked to a reduced likelihood of FG diagnosis. Elevated mortality risks were observed with female sex (OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.08-1.63), Native American ethnicity (OR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.14-4.57), and procedural frequency (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.24-1.3) among FG cases.

Conclusions: Various patient and clinical factors are linked to the development and mortality of FG compared with perineal cellulitis. Improved access to care and understanding of FG can enhance patient outcomes.