An Epidemiological Study to Assess the Prevalence of Tinea Pedis et Ungium in Japan

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  • 本邦における足・爪白癬の疫学調査成績
  • ホンポウ ニ オケル アシ ・ ツメ ハクセン ノ エキガク チョウサ セイセキ

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A random sampling survey of dermatology outpatients was conducted during the third week of May in 1999 and 2000 to determine the frequency of foot disease, especially of tinea pedis et ungium in Japan. The results of the survey showed that, of the 21,820 cases that were accumulated over the two years that the survey was carried out, there were 14,087 cases (64.6%) of patients with foot disorder. Among them, there were 8,737 cases (40.0%) of fungal infections, 2,826 cases (13.0%) of “corn and callus”, and 1,259 cases (5.8%) of “wart and mole”. The results of a survey conducted in Europe were similar; they showed that there were many cases of tinea pedis. According to that survey carried out in 2000, fungal infections were found in 3,181/3,420 (93.0%) patients who indicated the reason for their visit was ‘the possibility of a fungal infection’, and fungal infections were found in 1,723/8,804 (19.6%) patient who indicated their visit was for something “other than a fungal infection”. A multiple logistic regression analysis on the background factors obtained was applied to identify the factors associated with the fungal infections; “aging”, “male”, “hypercholesterolemia”, “golf”, and “cohabiter with a person with mycosis” showed high odds ratios. Topical treatment alone was the main therapy employed; two-thirds of the treatments were also topical in cases of tinea ungium. Other than esthetic problems, numerous patients complained at troubles such as difficulties with walking. Although dermatology outpatients alone were targeted in this survey, almost 40% of the patients had tinea pedis or/and ungium. Moreover, the survey also revealed that many people did not recognize their own fungal infections and that patients may have received insufficient treatment even if they had identified their infections. Risk factors for fungal infections were analyzed as well, and interesting results were obtained for preventing infection in the future. It is considered that tinea pedis et ungium should be treated aggressively to enhance the QOL of these patients and to prevent household transmissions.

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