Increasing Incidence, Cost, and Seasonality in Patients Hospitalized for Cellulitis

Abstract

Using data from the National Inpatient Sample, 1998–2013, we show that hospitalizations for cellulitis have approximately doubled. Costs increased by 118% to $3.74 billion annually. In addition, hospitalizations for cellulitis are highly seasonal, peaking in summer months: incidence during the peak month of July is 35% higher than in February.