Prevalence of dermatophytosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
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.
Bicer
Ali
A
Department Of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mersin University, School of Medicine, 33070 Zeytinlibahce Mersin, Turkey. alibicer@mersin.edu.tr
Tursen
Umit
U
Cimen
Ozlem Bolgen
OB
Kaya
Tamer Irfan
TI
Ozisik
Sacettin
S
Ikizoglu
Guliz
G
Erdogan
Canan
C
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
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D008727:Methotrexate