Search Results (5)

Background/Objectives: This study explores the prevalence of podiatric disorders in relation to factors such as gender, age, and the type of sports activity. Understanding these elements is crucial for implementing effective prevention strategies. Methods: The sample consisted of 70 participants, aged 12 to 30, with 71.4% youths and 28.6% adults, including 50 Portuguese and 20 Spanish individuals, who practiced either terrestrial or aquatic sports at varying training intensities. Statistical analyses were performed on data collected from athletes using chi-square tests and proportion tests. Variables such as exercise intensity and sport type (terrestrial vs. aquatic) were examined. Results: Skin disorders were more frequent in men (70.2%) compared to women (29.8%). Regarding age, 70% of individuals aged 19 to 30 years presented dermatoses, compared to 36% in the 12 to 18-year-old group. Exercise intensity also had an impact: 53.8% of athletes engaging in moderate activity exhibited keratoses, compared to 30.8% of those practicing intense activity. Additionally, athletes in terrestrial sports showed an average of 5.2 podiatric disorders, significantly higher than the 3.2 average in aquatic sports. Specifically, terrestrial athletes have a higher prevalence of pinch callus (84.6%) and hyperkeratosis on metatarsal heads (85.7%), while aquatic athletes have more onychomycosis (91.7%) and less hyperkeratosis. A higher prevalence of rotated toes (61.4%) and subungual hematoma (90.9%) was also observed in terrestrial athletes. Conclusions: The prevalence of podiatric disorders is significantly related to gender, age, and the type of physical activity. Men and young adults are more prone to dermatoses, while athletes engaging in moderate intensity activity and those athletes in terrestrial sport face a higher risk of podiatric issues. These findings highlight the need for prevention and treatment strategies in relation to the specific characteristics of each group. Full article

Background: A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of onychomycosis (ONM) and its causative pathogens in populations with and without diabetes in Spain. The association between the presence of ONM, different risk factors, and comorbidities was also examined. Methodology: A total of 160 patients with diabetes and 160 individuals without diabetes were recruited consecutively. A single investigator recorded the relative data of each patient and sampled nail dust and detritus for microbiological culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses of patients who showed clinical signs of fungal infection. Results: The prevalence of ONM was 36.88% (59/160) in the population with diabetes, 17.5% (28/160) in the population without diabetes, and 34.35% (45/131) in the population with diabetic foot. Dermatophyte fungi were most frequently identified, although the proportion was higher among those without diabetes than those with diabetes (19/28 and 28/59, respectively). However, the rate of mixed infections was higher in the population with diabetes compared to those without diabetes (13/59 and 2/28, respectively). A statistically significant association was found between the presence of diabetes and the risk of ONM (p < 0.001; odds ratio (OR) = 2.754; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.652–4.679). The risk factors associated with ONM among the patients with diabetes were a history of minor amputation, revascularisation, or cardiovascular disease, a low educational level, HbA1c values > 7%, hyperkeratosis, and subungual detritus. Among the patients without diabetes, nail thickening and chromonychia were associated with ONM. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the early diagnosis of ONM and knowledge of risk factors among patients with diabetes could enable the prevention of ONM, complications, and serious injuries through education for professionals and patients. Full article

(1) Background: Onychopapilloma is a benign tumor of the nail bed and distal matrix. which usually manifests as monodactylous longitudinal eryhtronychia associated with subungual hyperkeratosis. The impossibility to rule out a malignant neoplasm is an indication for surgical excision and histological examination. Our aim is to report and describe the ultrasonographic features of onychopapilloma. (2) Methods: we conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with a histological diagnosis of onychopapilloma who underwent ultrasonographic examination in our Dermatology Unit from January 2019 to December 2021. (3) Results: Six patients were enrolled. Erythronychia, melanonychia, and splinter hemorrhages were the main dermoscopical findings. Ultrasonography detected nail bed dishomogeneity in three patients (50%) and a distal hyperechoic mass (5 patients, 83.3%). Color Doppler imaging did not show vascular flow in any of the cases. (4) Conclusions: the detection of a subungual distal non-vascularized hyperechoic mass by US, together with classical onychopapilloma clinical features, supports the diagnosis, especially in those patients who were unable to perform excisional biopsy. Full article

Multiple intestinal atresia with combined immune deficiency (MIA-CID) is an autosomal recessive syndrome due to mutations in the TTC7A gene implicated in the polarization of intestinal and thymic epithelial cells. MIA-CID is lethal in the first year of life in the majority of patients. Dermatological manifestations have been reported in a few cases. We describe a child affected with MIA-CID due to a previously unreported TTC7A homozygous missense mutation. Surgery for bowel occlusion was performed in the first days of life. The patient was totally dependent on parenteral nutrition since birth and presented severe diarrhea and recurrent infections. He underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation at 17 months with complete donor engraftment and partial immunity improvement. In the second year of life, he progressively developed diffuse papular follicular keratoses on ichthyosiform skin, nail clubbing, and subungual hyperkeratosis. Histopathology showed hyperkeratosis with follicular plugging and scattered apoptotic keratinocytes, visualized at an ultrastructural examination. Our findings expand the spectrum of dermatological manifestations which can develop in MIA-CID patients. Examination of further patients will allow defining whether keratinocyte apoptosis is also a disease feature. Full article

Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the toenails or fingernails that can involve any component of the nail unit, including the matrix, bed, and plate. It is a common disorder that may be a reservoir for infection resulting in significant medical problems. Moreover, onychomycosis can have a substantial influence on one’s quality of life. An understanding of the disorder and updated management is important for all health care professionals. Aside from reducing quality of life, sequelae of the disease may include pain and disfigurement, possibly leading to more serious physical and occupational limitations. Dermatologists, Podiatrists, and other clinicians who treat onychomycosis are now entering a new era when considering treatment options—topical modalities are proving more effective than those of the past. The once sought after concept of viable, effective, well-tolerated, and still easy-to-use monotherapy alternatives to oral therapy treatments for onychomycosis is now within reach given recent study data. In addition, these therapies may also find a role in combination and maintenance therapy; in order to treat the entire disease the practitioner needs to optimize these topical agents as sustained therapy after initial clearance to reduce recurrence or re-infection given the nature of the disease. Full article