The prevalence of onychomycosis in the global population - A literature study

Background Onychomycosis is a common disorder, and high prevalence figures are commonly cited in the literature. Objectives Evaluate the prevalence of onychomycosis based on published studies. Methods Relevant studies were identified in Medline by using specific search criteria. Results Eleven popul...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology 2014-11, Vol.28 (11), p.1480-1491
Main Authors: Sigurgeirsson, B., Baran, R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Africa - epidemiology
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Asia - epidemiology
Child
Europe - epidemiology
Female
Foot Dermatoses - epidemiology
Foot Dermatoses - microbiology
Global Health
Hand Dermatoses - epidemiology
Hand Dermatoses - microbiology
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
North America - epidemiology
Onychomycosis - epidemiology
Onychomycosis - microbiology
Prevalence
South America - epidemiology
Tinea - complications
Trichophyton
Young Adult
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Summary:Background Onychomycosis is a common disorder, and high prevalence figures are commonly cited in the literature. Objectives Evaluate the prevalence of onychomycosis based on published studies. Methods Relevant studies were identified in Medline by using specific search criteria. Results Eleven population‐based and 21 hospital‐based studies were identified. The mean prevalence in Europe and North America was 4.3% [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.9–6.8] in the population‐based studies, but it was 8.9% (95% CI: 4.3–13.6) for the hospital‐based studies. Both population‐based and hospital‐based studies showed that onychomycosis is more common in toenails and is seen more frequently in males. The main causative agent was a dermatophyte in 65.0% (95% CI: 51.9–78.1) of the cases. Trichophyton rubrum was the single most common fungus and was cultured on average in 44.9% of the cases (95% CI: 33.8–56.0). Moulds were found on average in 13.3% (95% CI: 4.6–22.1) and yeasts in 21.1% (95% CI: 11.0–31.3). Limitations We may not have been able to locate all studies. Conclusions Onychomycosis is a common disorder, but it may not be as common as cited in the literature, because hospital‐based studies might overestimate the prevalence of onychomycosis. It is more frequent in males, and toenails are more commonly affected. Dermatophytes, particularly T. rubrum, are the main causative agents.
ISSN:0926-9959
1468-3083
DOI:10.1111/jdv.12323