Evaluation of quality of life in patients with toenail onychomycosis by Polish version of an international onychomycosis-specific questionnaire.
BACKGROUND
Onychomycosis is the most frequent nail disease, which could impair the patient's quality of life.


OBJECTIVE
The present study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of toenail onychomycosis on quality of life among Polish population.


METHODS
Three thousand nine-hundred and four (3904: 2269 females and 1635 males) individuals fulfilled an international onychomycosis-specific quality-of-life questionnaire consisting of statements regarding social, emotional and symptoms problems. All patients had toenail onychomycosis confirmed by the positive direct microscopic examination and/or by the positive mycologic culture. Seven hundred and sixty-seven patients simultaneously had fingernail onychomycosis. All patients were divided into subgroups according to sex, age, education level, place of living, type of onychomycosis, number of involved toenails, fingernails involvement, duration of illness and previously used antimycotic therapy.


RESULTS
Most of the patients demonstrated significantly reduced quality of life. The degree of life impairment varied between analysed subgroups. Patients with more advanced toenail onychomycosis and with fingernail involvement were more seriously affected. Both social and emotional impairments were more pronounced in female than in male patients, although there were no differences according to symptoms. Moreover, patients with better educational level and people living in towns or cities were more emotionally and socially affected by onychomycosis, although people living in the country or with poorer education level presented with significantly more severe symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Toenail onychomycosis is still a serious medical problem, which can significantly reduce the patient's quality of life.
Szepietowski
J C
JC
Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University of Medicine, Wroclaw, Poland. jszepiet@derm.am.wroc.pl
Reich
A
A
Pacan
P
P
Garlowska
E
E
Baran
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005533:Foot Dermatoses / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology*; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D014009:Onychomycosis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology*; D011044:Poland; D011788:Quality of Life; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012423:Rural Health; D012737:Sex Factors; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013997:Time Factors; D014504:Urban Health
D000935:Antifungal Agents