Hábitos podológicos en personas con alteraciones ungueales

To determine the prevalence of onychocryptosis and onychomycosis confirmed by culture in subjects attending a Podiatric University Hospital and to describe their podiatric habits.

Cross-sectional study of prevalence. The study was carried out at the Clinic University of Podology of A Coruna University (Ferrol, Spain). Review of 1082 clinical histories, of which 170 were selected, persons who had onychocryptosis diagnosed clinically. The presence of onychomycosis confirmed by cultivation, presence of onychocryptosis through clinical diagnosis and a questionnaire was handed out of podologic habits.

Mean age of the total sample (n = 1082) was 47.9 ± 22.1 years. Prevalence of onychocryptosis was 15.7% (n = 170) with a mean age of 54.1 ± 20.1 years and with a significantly higher affectation in women and people under 65. Prevalence of onychomycosis was 17.6% (n = 30), mean age 59.5 ± 20.5 years with greater involvement in women and people over 65 years. With regard to the questionnaire of habits, the footwear more employee was the closed, cordoned off and heel flat. The majority of the subject came to a podiatrist for the first time; walked approximately 1 hour and their daily activity made of foot with short displacements.

A high prevalence of onychocryptosis and onychomycosis in people attending Podiatric services has been found. For its part using a type of flat or low heel and who does the care of toenails are shown as predictive variables of onychomycosis.