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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffSeveral factors increase your risk of developing gangrene. These include:
- Age. Gangrene occurs far more often in older people.
- Diabetes. If you have diabetes, your body doesn't produce sufficient amounts of the hormone insulin (which helps your cells take up glucose) or is resistant to the effects of insulin. Diabetes along with its high blood sugar levels can eventually damage blood vessels, interrupting blood flow to a part of your body.
- Blood vessel disease. Hardened and narrowed arteries (atherosclerosis) and blood clots also can block blood flow to an area of your body.
- Severe injury or surgery. Any process that causes trauma to your skin and underlying tissue, including an injury or frostbite, increases your risk of developing gangrene, especially if you have an underlying condition that impedes blood flow to the injured area.
- Immunosuppression. If you have an infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or if you're undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy, your body's ability to fight off an infection is impaired.
References
- Meislin HW, et al. Soft tissue infections. In: Marx JA, et al., eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/141947879-3/849444931/1365/420.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-02845-4..50140-2_7293. Accessed June 4, 2009.
- Stevens DL. Necrotizing fasciitis, gas gangrene, myositis and myonecrosis. In: Cohen J, et al. Infectious Diseases. 2nd ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/141947879-5/849445124/1209/32.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-02407-6..50012-X_334. Accessed June 4, 2009.
- Stevens DL. Necrotizing infections of the skin and fascia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 4, 2009.
- Abrahamian FM, et al. Management of skin and soft-tissue infections in the emergency department. Infectious Disease Clinics of North America. 2008;22:89.
- May AK. Skin and soft tissue infections. Surgical Clinics of North America. 2009;89:403.
- Kaide CG. Hyperbaric oxygen: Applications in infectious disease. Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America. 2008;26:571.
- Neschis DG. Clinical manifestations and evaluation of chronic critical limb ischemia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 4, 2009.
- Sepsis and septic shock. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec06/ch068/ch068a.html. Accessed June 4, 2009.
- Anderson DJ, et al. Skin and soft tissue infections in older adults. Clinics in Geriatric Medicine. 2007;23:595.
- Sheps SG (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 6, 2009.
