Prevalence of dermatophyte onychomycosis in Spain: a cross-sectional study

To evaluate the prevalence of dermatophyte onychomycosis in Spain, a cross-sectional study was conducted between 1992 and 1993. A total of 10,007 subjects over the age of 15 years were interviewed (using the computer-assisted telephone interview system), completed a directed questionnaire, and reviewed a series of photographs of diverse nail disorders. The period prevalence of onychomycosis was 2.6% and the point prevalence 1.7%. The prevalence of onychomycosis was higher in women (1.8%) than in men (0.8%). Age group distribution showed a higher onychomycosis prevalence (1.2%) in the oldest age group (> 55 years). With regard 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 have, or have previously suffered from dermatophyte onychomycosis. Only 38.6% have sought medical advice, and only 14% of those who did so consulted a dermatologist.