title: Patient satisfaction with oral versus nonoral therapeutic approaches in onychomycosis.
abstract: The follow-up results of a 9-month observational study of 150 onychomycosis patients treated with a variety of mechanical, topical, and oral therapies by podiatric physicians and dermatologists are presented. Changes from baseline in toenail condition and patient satisfaction were assessed at 4- and 9-month follow-up. At 9 months, patients who had received oral therapy reported significantly fewer onychomycosis-related problems in social situations, including embarrassment or self-consciousness about the appearance of nails, avoidance of contact by others, being perceived as unclean or untidy, and the desire to keep their nails concealed. Patient-reported satisfaction with the treatment program was significantly higher for those receiving oral therapy than for those receiving nonoral therapy.
authors.affiliation: The Lewin Group, San Francisco, CA, USA.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Stier
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gause
authors.forename: W S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Schein
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Broering
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Warolin
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Doyle
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005533:Foot Dermatoses; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D014009:Onychomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011336:Probability; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents