title: Prevalence of dermatophytosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The prevalence of dermatophytic infections in rheumatoid arthritis is unknown. This study investigated the prevalence of dermatophytosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and the relationship between sulfasalazine, low-dose methotrexate and steroid therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined 53 consecutive patients with rheumatoid arthritis for evidence of dermatophytosis and compared them 55 with age- and sex-matched, nonimmunocompromised controls recruited from the low back pain population. Nail scrapings were obtained from the subjects, and the clinical diagnosis of dermatophytosis was confirmed with a potassium hydroxide preparation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 32% of the rheumatoid arthritis population we found dermatophytosis, compared with 16% of the control group, although statistical significant was only borderline. Tinea pedis was the most frequent type of dermatophytosis in both groups. The prevalence of dermatophytosis in patients receiving sulfasalazine, low-dose methotrexate, and steroid therapy was not found to be significantly increased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows a slightly higher prevalence of dermatophytosis in rheumatoid arthritis population than in controls. Sulfasalazine, low-dose methotrexate, and steroid therapy had no effect on the prevalence of dermatophytic infections in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
authors.affiliation: Department Of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mersin University, School of Medicine, 33070 Zeytinlibahce Mersin, Turkey. alibicer@mersin.edu.tr
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bicer
authors.forename: Umit
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Tursen
authors.forename: Ozlem Bolgen
authors.initials: OB
authors.lastname: Cimen
authors.forename: Tamer Irfan
authors.initials: TI
authors.lastname: Kaya
authors.forename: Sacettin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ozisik
authors.forename: Guliz
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ikizoglu
authors.forename: Canan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Erdogan
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017678:Sex Distribution
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D008727:Methotrexate