Mycological Results after Antifungal Treatment of Toenail Dermatophytosis

Park, Gun; Lee, Sung Woo; Jang, Hyo Chan; Chung, Hyun; Jun, Jae Bok; Bang, Yong Jun

Abstract

BACKGROUND
S: Toenail dermatophytosis is a common disease caused by dermatophytes. As it may cause not only a cosmetic disfigurement but also the physical, psychological, and social limitations, the need for the treatment has been increased. Recently, itraconazole and terbinafine have been popularly used with less serious side effects than before.
OBJECTIVE
We performed a retrospective study to observe the mycological results of antifungal therapy after the treatment of toenail dermatophytosis for 12 weeks. METHOD: The study population consisted of 169 patients with toenail dermatophytosis in Catholic Skin Clinic from June, 2003 to October, 2005.
RESULTS
Threre was no significant difference in mycological cure rate between the oral itraconazole group and the oral terbinafine group (52.2% vs 52.0%; p=0.985). Mycological cure rate of the oral terbinafine with 5% amorolfine nail lacquer group was insignificantly higher than that of the oral itraconazole with 5% amorolfine nail lacquer group (55.6% vs 40.6%; p=0.309). There were no significant difference between the different age groups, sexes, and cultured organisms.
CONCLUSION
In toenail dermatophytosis, both of the oral itraconazole therapy and the oral terbinafine therapy are very effective and there was no significant difference in the mycological results after the 12 weeks therapy of toenail dermatophytosis.