Table 1

Baseline demographic and medical history data

Variable		Benzylpenicillin and flucloxacillin				Flucloxacillin alone				p
Variable		n		Proportion		n		Proportion		p
Data are presented as absolute numbers and proportions in contiguous columns for each treatment group. The last column presents the p value for the difference between groups (χ² or Yates’ corrected χ² as appropriate). The first row presents the mean age in years with 95% confidence intervals, the final column for age provides a p value for the t test comparing theses means, the mean difference and 95% CI. IVD, intravenous drug misuse.
Age (years)		44.9 (40.1 to 49.7)				46.4 (40.6 to 52.1)				0.68 −1.50 (−8.9 to 5.9)
Sex (M/F)		35/6		0.85/0.14		30/10		0.75/0.25		0.24
Symptoms prior to presentation
Fever		20		0.50		18		0.45		0.73
Pain		31		0.78		36		0.90		0.13
Rigors		11		0.52		10		0.48		0.80
Swelling		36		0.51		35		0.49		0.72
Myalgia		13		0.32		11		0.27		0.81*
Pre-existing medical conditions
Lymphoedema		3		0.07		2		0.05		1.0*
Varicose eczema		3		0.07		1		0.02		0.61*
Tinea		1		0.02		3		0.07		0.61*
Other pre-existing disease		3		0.07		1		0.02		0.61*
IVD										0.32
Currently		2		0.05		6		0.15
Previously		3		0.07		3		0.08
History of direct trauma		11		0.28		14		0.35		0.63*
History of friction trauma		8		0.20		8		0.20		1.0*
Past history of cellulitis		13		0.32		9		0.22		0.45*