More than Nail Deep: The Effect of Efinaconazole 10% Treatment on the Quality of Life in Patients with Onychomycosis: A post hoc Study

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Onychomycosis is a common, difficult-to-treat fungal nail infection. Clinical signs include nail discoloration and thickening, which patients often find embarrassing, causing a negative impact on their quality of life (QOL). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> In this post hoc study, we analyze the effect of efinaconazole 10% solution on a patient’s QOL using patient-reported scores from the OnyCOE-t™ questionnaire (appearance, stigma, physical problems, symptom frequency, symptom bothersomeness, treatment satisfaction, and overall problem). Higher scores corresponded to better functioning, thus higher QOL. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Efinaconazole 10% treatment and clinical efficacy were positively correlated with improved QOL in all domains for all groups, except with symptom bothersomeness (how much the onychomycosis symptoms worried or concerned the patient) for female patients &#x3c;40 years. While still showing improvement in most domains during efficacious treatment, female and younger patients reported lower QOL scores than their male and older counterparts, despite having better clinical outcomes at follow-ups. <b><i>Discussion:</i></b> Female and younger patients appear to be more emotionally bothered by their symptoms, regardless of treatment success or improvement of their nail’s appearance, suggesting that onychomycosis is more than nail deep and has a greater psychological effect on these patients. Therefore, younger female patients may require more assurance and mental support.