Onychomycosis and other superficial fungal infections of the foot in the elderly: a pan-European survey.

BACKGROUND

The escalating ageing population in the western world has led to an increased incidence of superficial fungal infections. The most common infections include onychomycosis, tinea pedis and tinea cruris. With the increasing life expectancy, the prevalence of onychomycosis and other superficial fungal infections is likely to increase further without adequate prevention and treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To study the prevalence of foot mycoses in Europe.

METHOD

The Achilles project represents a survey of 90,085 subjects from 16 European countries.

RESULTS

Approximately half of the total screened population had evidence of fungal foot infection, with tinea pedis and onychomycosis affecting one quarter of these individuals. Advancing age showed an unfavourable effect on the prevalence of these infections.

CONCLUSION

As the number of aged people in developed countries continues to increase, skin diseases will constitute a greater pharmaco-economic concern of worldwide healthcare. Better recognition by clinicians and patients of mycotic foot disease will help prevent direct morbidity and further complications.