Korean J Med Mycol.  2009 Jun;14(2):79-87.

Preferred Oral Antifungal Treatment in Toenail Onychomycosis Patients

• Hur J
• Yu HJ
• Ahn KJ
• Choi JH
• Moon KC

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Treatment of toenail onychomycosis requires long term oral medication of antifungal agent. So many factors such as preferred treatment option can affect the compliance and cure rate.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of the present study was to identify most preferred treatment options for toenail onychomycosis patients.
METHODS
This study was undertaken on 190 patients treated toenail onychomycosis, who visited Hanyang University Guri hospital, Konkuk University hospital and Asan Medical center during the period between March 2008 to April 2008.
RESULTS
1. Mean age of patients was 53.5+/-15.5 years old, 108 patients (56.8%) were female and 82 patients (43.2%) were male. 2. Mean duration of disease was 7 years 11 months (7.9+/-8.8 years). 3. The motives of treatment for toenail onychomycosis were 'ugly appearance' (39.8%) and 'pruritus' (33.9%). 4. Seventy six percent of patients had history of treatment for toenail onychomycosis. Most of them (43%) visited dermatologist's office and 14% of them used folk remedy. 5. Continuous therapy was the most common method (47%) in previous treatment. And it was the most common treatment option irrespective of age, disease duration and gender. 6. The most preferred treatment option was also continuous therapy (57%). And 69% of patients who received continuous therapy preferred it, but it was only 48% in pulse therapy group and 38% in weekly pulse therapy group. 7. Sixty six percent of the toenail onychomycosis patients had associated disease.
CONCLUSIONS
Continuous therapy was the most convenient method for toenail onychomycosis patients who visited general hospital.

Keyword

Antifungal agent; Onychomycosis; Preferred treatment; Toenail

MeSH Terms

Compliance
Female
Hospitals, General
Humans
Nails
Onychomycosis