Measuring the impact of onychomycosis on patient quality of life

According to survey research, onychomycosis, a fungal infection of the toen ail or fingernail, affects quality of life including physical and social fu nctioning and emotional health. We developed an onychomycosis disease-speci fic questionnaire (ODSQ) that sensitively assessed symptom distress, functi onal impact, and social stigma associated with the disease. Samples of pati ents enrolled in a randomized controlled clinical trial were used for the p sychometric evaluations. The multi-item scales were internally consistent ( alpha greater than or equal to 0.80) and reproducible (ICC > 0.85). Intersc ale correlations between the ODSQ and generic scales were moderate and cons istent with the hypothesized magnitude and directions. Construct validation , employing known groups analysis, supported the hypothesized impact of ony chomycosis on three domains of quality of life: physical functioning, emoti onal health, and social functioning. Significant differences were found bet ween clinically "cured", "improved", or "failed" patients, and between myco logically "eradicated" and "persistent" patients. The ODSQ was responsive t o clinical change and more sensitive than derived Medical Outcomes Study Sh ort Form-36 scales. The ODSQ provides reliable, validated and responsive in formation about the consequences of onychomycosis and its treatment.