Improving Cure Rates in Onychomycosis.
BACKGROUND
Onychomycosis is a persistent fungal nail infection that is notoriously hard to treat. Approximately 20% to 25% of patients with onychomycosis do not respond to treatment, and 10% to 53% of patients relapse. As such, successful treatment is imperative for long-term disease management.


OBJECTIVE
To identify ways to improve cure rates for onychomycosis.


METHODS
The literature on onychomycosis treatment and recurrence was reviewed to summarize treatment approaches and suggest strategies to increase cure rates.


CONCLUSIONS
To improve treatment success in onychomycosis, we suggest the following measures be followed: (1) onychomycosis must be correctly diagnosed, (2) the treatment regimen should be tailored to the individual patient, (3) the efficacy of antifungals must be maximized, and (4) recurrence must be prevented.
Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada agupta@execulink.com.|Mediprobe Research, Inc, London, ON, Canada.
Aditya K
AK
Gupta
Mediprobe Research, Inc, London, ON, Canada.
Maria
M
Cernea
Mediprobe Research, Inc, London, ON, Canada.
Kelly A
KA
Foley
D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D055118:Medication Adherence; D014009:Onychomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D055502:Secondary Prevention / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000935:Antifungal Agents
antifungal medication; complete cure; dermatophytes; mycological cure; recurrence; tinea unguium