Korean J Dermatol.  1998 Oct;36(5):772-779.

Analysis of Treatement Results of patients with Tinea Unguium and Assessment of the Real Effectiveness of Antifungal Agents and Patient Compliance

• Lee JM
• Shin DH
• Choi JS
• Kim KH

Abstract

BACKGROUND: We have little information about long-term treatment results of tinea unguium based on the treatment methods and oral antifungal agents used in dermatology.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the confirmed effectiveness and side effects of antifungal agents and to investigate the ratio of patients who completely finished the course of treatment in the practical area, not in the experimental studies.
METHODS
The medical records of 684 patients diagnosed with tinea unguium from January 1985 to December 1996 in Yeungnam l.Jniversity Hospital were analysed for the results.
RESULTS
The number of patients who were diagnosed with tinea unguium during this period was 684. In this study, we segregafed the patients whose outcome could be confirmed and calculated the percentage of completely treated and improved cases according to the antifungal agents used (griseofulvin-7.0%, ketoconazole-8.2%, itraconazole-9.0%, terbinafine-13.7%). We also calculated the percentage of patients who had completely finished the course of treatment (griseofulvin-6.8%, ketoconazole-7.4%, itraconazole-32.S%, terbinafine-31.8%). Among the patients whose results were unknown, more than half of patients(51.7%) had discontinued treatment within 3 weeks. The frequency of side effects of griseofulvin was 5.27a, ketoconazole 11.1%, itraconazole 6.7%, and terbinafine 6.1%.
CONCLUSION
The treatment results of tinea unguium in clinical fields are different from results of previously reported studies. The percentages of completely treated and improved cases and those of patients who had completely finished the course of treatment are much lower than the results of previous experimental studies. Jt may be due to low compliance of patients and the long-term treatment course required. To increase the patients compliance and improve the results of treatment, we should explain to the patients about the disease course and duration of the treatment.

MeSH Terms

Antifungal Agents*
Compliance
Dermatology
Griseofulvin
Humans
Itraconazole
Ketoconazole
Medical Records
Onychomycosis*
Patient Compliance*
Tinea*
Antifungal Agents
Griseofulvin
Itraconazole
Ketoconazole