Onychomycosis among Clinically Suspected Cases Attending the Dermatology Out-patient Department of a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

INTRODUCTION: Onychomycosis is a fungal disease of the nail apparatus caused by dermatophytes, non-dermatophytes and yeasts. Although onychomycosis is rarely life threatening, its high incidence and the associated morbidity makes it an important public health problem. This study was aimed to find the prevalence of onychomycosis among clinically suspected patients attending the outpatient department of Dermatology and Venereology. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done in a total of 200 clinically suspected cases of onychomycosis attending the Dermatology outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital within the period of one year from 1st September 2019 to 31st August 2020. Ethical approval (Reference: 150320196) was taken and convenience sampling was done. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 19. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. RESULTS: Out of 200 clinically suspected cases prevalence of onychomycosis was found to be 40 (20%) (Confidence Interval = 19.94-20.06) by both direct microscopy and culture. Onychomycosis was commonest among age group of 21-40 years and more predominant among male patients 60 (65.21%). The fingernails were frequently involved i.e., 58 (63%) cases followed by toenails 34 (21%). Dermatophytes were the most common type of fungal infection accounting for 25 (62.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The study highlighted dermatophytes as the most common clinical pattern of onychomycosis and Trichophyton rubrum as the most common aetiological agent causing onychomycosis.