INTRODUCTION
Onychomycosis represents the most common nail condition seen in clinical practice amongst adults, comprising 50% of all nail disorders seen in the ambulatory setting.1 Clinically, onychomycosis can present with yellow discoloration and thickening of the nail plate, and interweb and plantar scale.2 Global prevalence is estimated at 2% to 8% of the population, with estimates in North America ranging from 8.7% to 13.8%.2,3 Prevalence increases with age, and patients with psoriasis, diabetes, immunosuppression, poor peripheral circulation, household contacts, tinea pedis, and/or persistent nail trauma have increased susceptibility.2
Onychomycosis imposes a significantly negative impact on quality of life (QoL), which is often underestimated.1 To prevent secondary complications and improve QoL, appropriate treatment for onychomycosis should be offered to patients.2 Onychomycosis management may differ amongst specialties, with impact on patient outcomes. We aimed to characterize onychomycosis treatment across specialties, accounting for patient demographics, to assess for potential onychomycosis practice gaps.
Onychomycosis imposes a significantly negative impact on quality of life (QoL), which is often underestimated.1 To prevent secondary complications and improve QoL, appropriate treatment for onychomycosis should be offered to patients.2 Onychomycosis management may differ amongst specialties, with impact on patient outcomes. We aimed to characterize onychomycosis treatment across specialties, accounting for patient demographics, to assess for potential onychomycosis practice gaps.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) provides objective and reliable data about non-hospital based ambulatory medical services in the United States. The National Center for Health Statistics, a part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), develops and implements the survey annually. Non-federally employed office-based physicians and advanced practice providers are surveyed during a randomly selected week of the year.4 Survey respondents document patient demographic information, diagnoses,