Date of Award

January 2025

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Medical Doctor (MD)

Department

Medicine

First Advisor

Jeffrey M. Cohen

Abstract

Superficial cutaneous fungal infections (SCFIs), caused by yeasts, dermatophytes, and nondermatophyte molds, are prevalent skin conditions with substantial economic and quality-of-life implications. This study aimed to evaluate trends in the prevalence of SCFIs in the United States between 2005 and 2016, using data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) and the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS).We performed a cross-sectional analysis of outpatient visits with SCFIs diagnoses, identified through the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Revisions, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM). Diagnoses included conditions such as tinea unguium, tinea pedis, and candidiasis of the skin and nails. Data from the surveys were weighted to estimate national visit counts. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Jonckheere-Terpstra test to identify trends over the 12-year period. An estimated 6,001,852 annual visits for SCFIs occurred during the study period, totaling 72,022,226 visits. SCFIs accounted for approximately 0.54% of all ambulatory visits, with tinea unguium (20.5%), tinea pedis (12.2%), and tinea corporis (12.0%) representing the most common diagnoses. A significant increasing trend in the prevalence of SCFIs was observed (Z = 2.19, P = 0.03). The findings highlight the substantial burden of SCFIs in the United States and their increasing prevalence over time. These conditions have a notable impact on healthcare resources and patient well-being, underscoring the need for effective prevention, diagnosis, and management strategies. Future research should focus on demographic disparities and modifiable risk factors to inform public health interventions and clinical practice. Additionally, healthcare providers play a critical role in addressing SCFIs to mitigate their broader implications on population health and healthcare costs.

Comments

This is an Open Access Thesis.

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