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Prevalence of dermatophyte onychomycosis in the United Kingdom: Results of an omnibus survey
Author(s) -
ROBERTS D.T.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1992.tb00005.x
Subject(s) - dermatophyte , medicine , population , nail (fastener) , family medicine , dermatology , demography , environmental health , materials science , sociology , metallurgy
Summary A computer omnibus survey to determine the prevalence of onychomycosis in the United Kingdom was carried out in the early part of 1990. A total population of 9322 adults, aged 16 years and over, was interviewed face‐to‐face, and a questionnaire completed, which consisted of questions and photographs of various nail dystrophies, including onychomycosis. The results in the population surveyed revealed a prevalence of dermatophyte nail infection of 2.8% in men and 2.6% in women. In the group aged 16–34 years, the prevalence rate was 1.3%; this increased to 2.4% in the group aged 35–50 years, and to 4.7% in those aged 55 years or over. Of those found to have onychomycosis, 27% had sought advice from a chiropodist and less than 12% had consulted a specialist. These results suggest that nearly 1.2 million people in the UK have a fungal nail infection and the majority had not sought medical advice, although over 80% stated that they would do so if they were aware that their nail disorder was of fungal origin. A similar proportion would wish to be treated if an effective treatment was available.