Clinical Profiles, Risk Factors, and Disease Outcomes of Patients with Cutaneous Dermatophytoses in a South-East Asian Center
Hazleen Zainal, Adawiyah Jamil, Fei Y. Ng, Ting G. NgBackground:
Superficial cutaneous fungal infection is prevalent in tropical countries. Disease persistence, recurrence, and relapse remain a challenge despite the availability of effective therapies.
Purpose:
This study aimed to describe the clinical profiles of patients with dermatophytoses and to examine associations between selected risk factors and disease outcomes.
Methods:
A prospective cohort study involving 103 adult patients was conducted. Data were collected from medical records and interviewing the patients. Physical examination determined the body surface area affected. Dermatophytoses were treated according to standard clinical management. Treatment outcomes and infection status were assessed at week 2, 4, 8, and 12.
Results:
Mean age was 40.1 ± 15.2 years, with a slight female predominance. The most common dermatophytoses were tinea corporis (86.4%) with extensive disease in 94%. Cure rates improved from 45% at week 2%–78% at week 12. The mean duration of oral antifungal required for cure was 6 (2.0–6.0) weeks. At week 2, the presence of concomitant skin diseases was significantly associated with cure, whereas disease extent, duration, and fungal isolates were significantly associated with persistence. Male gender and type of occupation were significantly associated with recurrences. At week 12, 7.8% of patients had persistent disease, 8.7% recurrent, and 5.8% relapsed.
Conclusion:
Tinea corporis with extensive skin involvement was common. Despite good cure rates, a subset of patient exhibited recurrence, persistence, or relapsing disease, especially those with prolonged disease.