Onychomycosis and other superficial fungal infections of the foot in the elderly: A Pan-European survey

Background: The escalating ageing population in the western world has led t o an increased incidence of superficial fungal infections. The most common infections include onychomycosis, tinea pedis and tinea cruris. With the in creasing life expectancy, the prevalence of onychomycosis and other superfi cial fungal infections is likely to increase further without adequate preve ntion a nd treatment. Objective: To study the prevalence of foot mycoses in Europe. Method: The Achilles project represents a survey of 90,085 subject s from 16 European countries. Results: Approximately half of the total scre ened population had evidence of fungal foot infection, with tinea pedis and onychomycosis affecting one quarter of these individuals. Advancing age sh owed an unfavourable effect on the prevalence of these infections. Conclusi on: As the number of aged people in developed countries continues to increa se, skin diseases will constitute a greater pharmaco-economic concern of wo rldwide healthcare. Better recognition by clinicians and patients of mycoti c foot disease will help prevent direct morbidity and further complications . Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.