Prevalence of toe nail onychomycosis in diabetic patients.
Onychomycosis among diabetic patients has been reported in some studies to be of high prevalence. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of onychomycosis among diabetic patients at a Danish University Hospital. Clinical and mycological examinations were performed on type 1 and 2 diabetic patients from in- and out-patient clinics. A total of 271 patients were enrolled, 72% males, mean age 61.3 years, 26% of the patients had diabetes type 1. The prevalence of toe nail onychomycosis (positive culture and/or microscopy) was 22% (n = 59) of which 55 cases were caused by dermatophytes (93%) and 4 cases by yeasts (7%). A correlation was found between onychomycosis and age (p =0.02) and severity of nail changes (p <0.001), respectively. However, no significant correlation was found to gender, type of diabetes, lower extremity arterial disease, neuropathy, toe amputation or oedema. Onychomycosis occurred with a high prevalence in diabetic patients, especially among older patients and those with severe nail changes.
Saunte
Ditte Marie L
DM
Department for Bacteriology, Mycology and Parasitology, State Serum Institute, Unit of Mycology and Parasitology Building 45/112, Artillerivej 5, DK-2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark. dms@ssi.dk
Holgersen
Jane B
JB
Haedersdal
Merete
M
Strauss
Gitte
G
Bitsch
Mikael
M
Svendsen
Ole L
OL
Arendrup
Maiken C
MC
Svejgaard
Else L
EL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005533:Foot Dermatoses / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014009:Onychomycosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D015995:Prevalence