Frequency of associated factors of onychomycosis

Objective To determine the frequency of associated factors of onychomycosis in patients presenting in a tertiary care hospital. Methods In this cross-sectional survey conducted in Dermatology Unit-I, Outpatient Department, Mayo Hospital, Lahore, 120 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were analyzed. After taking informed consent and recording demographic data, complete history was taken. Examination was performed and investigations were carried out where ever needed, for determination of factors associated with onychomycosis. Results Females were 80.8% of study cases and elderly constituted 5.8%. Positive family history for onychomycosis and smoking, each was observed in 10%. Trauma was present in 11.7% cases. 5% of patients wore occlusive shoes and 9.2% subjects were diabetic. Conclusion Onychomycosis affected females four times more than males. The most frequent factor observed was trauma. Smoking, positive family history and diabetes mellitus were other important factors.