The prevalence of onychomycosis in patients with chronic renal failure undergoing dialysis: A cross-sectional study

Onychomycosis is one of the most common cutaneous symptoms in patients with chronic renal failure. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence and determine the factors likely associated with developing onychomycosis among dialysis patients. This cross-sectional study was conducted between 2022 and 2023 with 312 chronic renal failure patients undergoing dialysis visiting the dialysis departments of Guilan University of Medical Sciences. Participants were selected by consecutive sampling method. A dermatologist subjected the patients to a detailed clinical assessment of the fingernails and toenails to find evidence of Onychomycosis. Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining was performed in case of suspicion of Onychomycosis. A total of 312 inpatients were investigated during the time frame of the present study. Among study patients, 62.5% were male, the average age of the patients was 59.3 ± 13.9 years, and the mean duration of dialysis was 37.5 ± 38.5 months. A total of 12.8% (n = 40) of patients undergoing dialysis had Onychomycosis. Diabetes mellitus was present in 37.5% of dialysis patients. Diabetes and Onychomycosis were significantly associated, so the prevalence rate of Onychomycosis in diabetic patients was almost twice that of non-diabetic patients (17.9% vs. 9.7%; P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that age, sex, education level, and type of dialysis access were the predictors of Onychomycosis development. Onychomycosis puts people at risk for more severe infections, including erysipelas, cellulitis, and amputations; thus, dialysis patients need to learn how to take care of their toenails properly.