Cure Rate, Duration Required for Complete Cure and Recurrence Rate in Patients with Onychomycosis of Great Toe Nail According to the Extent of Nail Involvement

Kang, Myung Seung; Kim, Joung Soo; Yu, Hee Joon

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Despite enormous advances in the treatment of onychomycosis in recent years, many factors such as the extent of nail involvement affect treatment response.
OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cure rate, duration required for complete cure and recurrence rate in patients with onychomycosis of great toe nail according to the extent of nail involvement.
METHODS
Medical records in patients with onychomycosis on the great toe nail were reviewed retrospectively to obtain the following information: diagnosis, age, sex, presence of systemic diseases, extent of nail involvement, and duration for complete cure. One year after complete cure, patients underwent a follow-up examination of recurrence.
RESULTS
The complete cure rate (CCR) as a whole was 78.3%, duration required for complete cure (DC) was 31.7+/-18.4 weeks, recurrence rate (RR) was 36.0%. CCRs were 92.4% in the nail involvement-under-25% group (A), 81.8% in the group involving 25~50% of the nail (B), 72.2% in the group involving 50~75% of the nail (C), 63.9% in the group involving 75~100% of the nail (D) (p<0.05). DCs were 15.8+/-7.8 weeks in group A, 32.9+/-9.8 weeks in group B, 33.5+/-7.5 weeks in group C, and 53.9+/-16.8 weeks in group D (p<0.05). RRs were 12.5% in group A, 44.8% in group B, 52% in group C, and 45.2% in group D (p<0.05).
Conclusion
There were statistically significant differences in CCR, DC, and RR depending on the extent of the nail involvement; therefore, it seems important to obtain early treatment.