Prevalence of toe nail onychomycosis in diabetic patients

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Onychomycosis among diabetic patients has been reported in some studies to be of high prevalence. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of onychomycosis among diabetic patients at a Danish University Hospital. Clinical and mycological examinations were performed on type 1 and 2 diabetic patients from in- and out-patient clinics. A total of 271 patients were enrolled, 72% males, mean age 61.3 years, 26% of the patients had diabetes type 1. The prevalence of toe nail onychomycosis (positive culture and/or microscopy) was 22% (n = 59) of which 55 cases were caused by dermatophytes (93%) and 4 cases by yeasts (7%). A correlation was found between onychomycosis and age (p =0.02) and severity of nail changes (p <0.001), respectively. However, no significant correlation was found to gender, type of diabetes, lower extremity arterial disease, neuropathy, toe amputation or oedema. Onychomycosis occurred with a high prevalence in diabetic patients, especially among older patients and those with severe nail changes.

Original languageEnglish
JournalActa Dermato-Venereologica
Volume86
Issue number5
Pages (from-to)425-8
Number of pages4
ISSN0001-5555
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2006

    Research areas

  • Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Denmark/epidemiology, Diabetic Foot/epidemiology, Female, Foot Dermatoses/epidemiology, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Onychomycosis/epidemiology, Prevalence

ID: 213886394