Assessment of Quality of Life in Patient with Toenail Onychomycosis in Korea.
- Author:
Baik Kee CHO
1
;
Jong Gap PARK
;
Hyung OK KIM
;
Sung Wook KIM
;
Seung Chul BAEK
;
Jin Wou KIM
;
Si Yong KIM
;
Kyu Joong AHN
;
Jae Bok JUN
;
Chee Won OH
;
Nack In KIM
;
Kyu Suk LEE
;
Chil Hwan OH
;
Soo Nam KIM
;
Sang Tae KIM
;
Sook Ja SON
;
Yong Woo CHINN
;
Dong Seok KIM
;
Won Woo LEE
;
Kyung Sool KWON
;
Dae Hun SUH
;
Kyu Uang WHANG
;
Jong Suk LEE
;
Jai Kyoung KOH
;
Won Hyoung KANG
;
Kee Yang CHUNG
;
Eung Ho CHOI
;
Ki Hong KIM
;
Seok Don PARK
;
Seung Joo KANG
;
Jeong Hee HAHM
;
Ki Bum MYUNG
;
Bang Soon KIM
;
Sang Wahn KOO
;
Byung Su KIM
;
Young Ho WON
;
Han Uk KIM
;
Eun Sup SONG
;
Byoung Soo CHUNG
;
Chang Kwun HONG
;
Byung In RO
;
Jang Kyu PARK
;
Jee Yoon HAN
;
Kwang Joong KIM
;
Dae Won KOO
;
Jong Min KIM
;
Jae Hong KIM
;
Hee Joon YU
;
Kyung Mee YANG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Toenail onychomycosis; Quality of life
- MeSH: Female; Humans; Korea*; Male; Nails*; Onychomycosis*; Quality of Life*; Social Change; Surveys and Questionnaires
- From:Korean Journal of Medical Mycology 1998;3(2):115-124
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
- Abstract: BACKGROUND: Onychomycosis, especially toenail onychomycosis has become one of the common fungal infection and has historically been regarded as a cosmetic rather than medical problem by many patients, even by physicians. Recently, however, there are several reports that this is a refractory disease which may cause a deleterious effect on patients' quality of life (QOL). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of toenail onychomycosis on QOL in Korea and to assess the changes of QOL after treatment. METHODS: Total 1004 patients with toenail onychomycosis which was confirmed by clinical findings and KOH preparation were enrolled at 47 dermatologic centers in Korea, and interviewed with standardized QOL questionnaire before and after systemic antifungal treatment. Responses to the questionnaire were scored by f-point scale (0~4) and averaged, and were analyzed for 5 dimensions of emotional impact, social impact, symptom and functional impact, patients' views concerning treatment, and relationship with doctor. RESULTS: 1. Before and after treatment, the most serious impact was emotional dimension showing 1.90 and 1.30 in average score (AS), and social (AS: 1.14 and 0.83) and symptom and functional impact (AS: 1.05 and 0.92) was also affected. 2. In female rather than male, statistically more significant impact on patients' QOL was observed in all dimensions. 3. After treatment, 3 of 5 dimensions were improved significantly - emotional dimension (AS: from 1.90 to 1.30), social dimension (AS: from 1.14 to 0.83), patients' view concerning treatment(AS: from 1.34 to 1.02) 4. The degree of patients' satisfaction at the therapeutic effect was very high - 62.4% (immediately after. treatment) and 65.8% (9 months after initiation of treatment) of patients answered excellent or good. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that toenail onychomycosis has significant Impact on the overall QOL of patients. Also the effect of antifungal therapy on patients' QOL were satisfactory. Therefore, both doctor and patient should pay more attention to the treatment of onychomycosis.
