Ditte Marie L. Saunte, Jane B. Holgersen, Merete Hædersdal, Gitte Strauss, Mikael Bitsch, Ole L. Svendsen, Maiken C. Arendrup, Else L. Svejgaard
DOI: 10.1080/00015555-0113

Onychomycosis among diabetic patients has been report­ed in some studies to be of high prevalence. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of onychomycosis among diabetic patients at a Danish University Hospital. Clinical and mycological examinations were performed on type 1 and 2 diabetic patients from in- and out-patient
clinics. A total of 271 patients were enrolled, 72% males,
mean age 61.3 years, 26% of the patients had diabetes type 1. The prevalence of toe nail onychomycosis (posi­tive culture and/or microscopy) was 22% (n = 59) of which
55 cases were caused by dermatophytes (93%) and 4 cases by yeasts (7%). A correlation was found between onychomycosis and age (p =0.02) and severity of nail changes (p <0.001), respectively. However, no significant correlation was found to gender, type of diabetes, lower extremity arterial disease, neuropathy, toe amputation or oedema. Onychomycosis occurred with a high prevalence
in diabetic patients, especially among older patients and those with severe nail changes.