PREVALENCE OF DERMATOPHYTE ONYCHOMYCOSIS IN SPAIN - A CROSS-SECTIONALSTUDY

To evaluate the prevalence of dermatophyte onychomycosis in Spain, a c ross-sectional study was conducted between 1992 and 1993. A total of 1 0,007 subjects over the age of 15 years were interviewed (using the co mputer-assisted telephone interview system), completed a directed ques tionnaire, and reviewed a series of photographs of diverse nail disord ers. The period prevalence of onychomycosis was 2.6% and the point pre valence 1.7%. The prevalence of onychomycosis was higher in women (1.8 %) than in men (0.8%). Age group distribution showed a higher onychomy cosis prevalence (1.2%) in the oldest age group (>55 years). With rega rd to localization, the prevalence of toenail onychomycosis was higher than that of fingernail onychomycosis and of concurrent infection in both sites. The results of this study suggest that 802,893 inhabitants of Spain bane, or have previously suffered from dermatophyte onychomy cosis. Only 38.6% have sought medical advice, and only 14% of those wh o did so consulted a dermatologist.