Clinical inertia in onychomycosis treatment: results from the Illuminating Dialogues and Insights in Onychomycosis Management (IDIOM) survey

Abstract

Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail that can serve as a reservoir for tinea infections in other parts of the body and can be transmitted to other individuals. As the disease progresses, it can lead to functional impairment, such as difficulties in walking, and negatively impact the psychosocial aspects of quality of life. Onychomycosis treatment, especially topical, is long-term, and adequate follow-up is essential for cure. However, the realities and issues of patient-physician communication after treatment initiation, including patients' perception of efficacy, treatment satisfaction, and reconsideration of the treatment approach, remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the realities and issues associated with onychomycosis treatment, focusing on topical therapies, through a web-based survey of patients with onychomycosis and dermatologists. The duration of topical treatment was prolonged, with 30.5% of patients undergoing topical therapy for more than 2 years. Of these, 54.5% had not perceived clear efficacy. In addition, 93.7% of all patients with onychomycosis expressed a desire to change their treatment if it was ineffective. However, only 29.9% of patients receiving topical treatment discussed changing their treatment with their physicians, and only 7.3% ultimately changed their treatment. These findings indicate that the review of treatment strategies was insufficient. Furthermore, the satisfaction rate among patients treated with oral medications was higher than that of patients treated with topical medication. Despite dermatologists' awareness of low patient satisfaction with topical treatments, approximately 40% recommended alternative topical therapies when the initial topical treatment was ineffective. These results suggest clinical inertia in the treatment of onychomycosis stemming from a lack of appropriate intensification of treatment. In managing onychomycosis, the patient and dermatologist must share a common understanding of the importance of regular evaluation and the optimization of treatment regimens during treatment and must work side by side toward a cure.