Toenail alterations in chronic venous disease patients are not always of mycotic origin

Abstract

Objective The prevalence of toenail alterations in chronic venous disease has only rarely been studied. We aimed to establish the frequency and clinical characteristics of toenail onychomycosis in chronic venous disease. Methods We included 80 adult patients, in all stages of chronic venous disease. Onychomycosis was confirmed by mycological examination. The clinical type of onychomycosis and the onychomycosis severity index were determined. Clinical characteristics of non-fungal nail changes were also analyzed. Results We included 58 women and 22 men, with a mean age of 67.0 years. Pathological toenail changes were observed in 83.8% of patients. Onychomycosis was confirmed in 33.8% of all patients and was more frequent in higher clinical stages of chronic venous disease (p = 0.009). Trichophyton rubrum was the leading causative pathogen. Disto-lateral onychomycosis was most commonly present. Average onychomycosis severity index was 23.1. Conclusion Onychomycosis accounted for 40% of all toenail alterations. Patients with chronic venous disease often have severe and difficult to treat toenail onychomycosis.