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Onychomycosis Impairs the Quality of Life of Affected Patients Living in Yaoundé, Cameroon

Kouotou EA, Nguena Feungue U, Sieleunou I, Nansseu JRN, Tatah SA and Moyou Somo R

Background: Onychomycosis is a chronic fungal nail infection that can alter the quality of life (QoL) of patients affected, due to its unattractive character. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of onychomycosis on QoL of patients residing in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study from October 2014 to March 2015. All patients seen in dermatology consultation with suspected onychomycosis and who volunteered to participate were recruited, and a nail fragment taken for mycological laboratory analysis (direct examination +/- culture). The "specific QoL questionnaire" was used to assess the QoL of patients with a positive culture. Results: Of 3,457 patients screened, 117 had onychosis, suspected to be onychomycosis. Onychomycosis was confirmed in 96 patients after mycological examination. Patients having toenail onychomycosis (42/50; 84%) had impaired QoL in at least one of the social, emotional and functional aspects. For fingernail onychomycosis, this proportion was 91.3% (42/46). When onychomycosis concerned the fingers, QoL was even more altered when the patient was a female (p<0.005) or when there was an associated perionyxis (p<0.01).
Conclusion: This study showed an impaired QoL of patients with onychomycosis.