Efficacy of Topical Antifungal Nail Solution Versus Topical Placebo Solution for the Treatment of Pedal Onychomycosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Introduction Pedal onychomycosis is common, and its treatment entails debridement combined with topical and/or oral antifungal medication. Methods In this study, 69 participants were randomly allocated to either active (31 [44.93%]) or placebo (38 [55.07%]) topical solution. The primary out...

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Main Authors: Donald Scot Malay, Hye Rin Kim, Nicholas John Perfetti, Yolanda R. Marshall, Peter J. Bregman, Allysa M. Vavra
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Adis, Springer Healthcare 2025-05-01
Series:Infectious Diseases and Therapy
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s40121-025-01165-8
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author Donald Scot Malay
Hye Rin Kim
Nicholas John Perfetti
Yolanda R. Marshall
Peter J. Bregman
Allysa M. Vavra
author_facet Donald Scot Malay
Hye Rin Kim
Nicholas John Perfetti
Yolanda R. Marshall
Peter J. Bregman
Allysa M. Vavra
author_sort Donald Scot Malay
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Introduction Pedal onychomycosis is common, and its treatment entails debridement combined with topical and/or oral antifungal medication. Methods In this study, 69 participants were randomly allocated to either active (31 [44.93%]) or placebo (38 [55.07%]) topical solution. The primary outcome was mycological cure, and secondary outcomes included visible nail plate involvement and toenail-related quality of life. Results After a minimum duration of follow-up of 7 months and a maximum of 9 months, participants in the active solution group experienced statistically significantly greater mycological cure (1 [2.63%] placebo versus 17 [54.84%] active, p < 0.0001) and clinical cure (2 [5.56%] placebo versus 21 [70%] active, p < 0.0001), including 47.62% of which showed complete clearance of visible nail plate involvement with no residual gross nail plate dystrophy and improved toenail-related quality of life, including less symptom bothersomeness (p < 0.0344), less overall toenail problems (p < 0.0315), and greater satisfaction with treatment (p < 0.0195) as early as the 3-month follow-up visit. In addition, the active solution group experienced less frequent symptoms (p = 0.0046 at 9 months) and symptom bothersomeness (p = 0.0002 at 7 months, < 0.0001 at 9 months), less difficulty caring for toenails and better toenail appearance (p = 0.0250 at 7 months, p= 0.007 at 9 months), improved physical activity and less toenail pain (p = 0.0208 at 7 months, p = 0.003 at 9 months), less overall toenail problems (p = 0.0002 at 7 months, p = 0.0006 at 9 months), and greater treatment satisfaction (p = 0.0003 at 7 months, p = 0.0015 at 9 months). Conclusions Participants with pedal onychomycosis that were randomized to the active topical solution showed statistically significantly greater mycological and clinical cures, as well as improved quality of life, in comparison with those allocated to the placebo topical solution. Trial Registration ISRCTN Protocol no. 77852934.
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spelling doaj-art-0f3ebbfcab8f4167b8226bd9efe3cbee2025-08-20T04:03:00ZengAdis, Springer HealthcareInfectious Diseases and Therapy2193-82292193-63822025-05-011471439145910.1007/s40121-025-01165-8Efficacy of Topical Antifungal Nail Solution Versus Topical Placebo Solution for the Treatment of Pedal Onychomycosis: A Randomized Controlled TrialDonald Scot Malay0Hye Rin Kim1Nicholas John Perfetti2Yolanda R. Marshall3Peter J. Bregman4Allysa M. Vavra5Staff Surgeon and Director of Podiatric Research, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Penn Podiatry University CityStaff Surgeon, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Penn Podiatry University CityPodiatric Research Fellow, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Penn Podiatry University CityPodiatric Research Fellow, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Penn Podiatry University CityFoot & Ankle Specialists of NevadaPodiatric Surgery Resident, Penn Presbyterian Medical CenterAbstract Introduction Pedal onychomycosis is common, and its treatment entails debridement combined with topical and/or oral antifungal medication. Methods In this study, 69 participants were randomly allocated to either active (31 [44.93%]) or placebo (38 [55.07%]) topical solution. The primary outcome was mycological cure, and secondary outcomes included visible nail plate involvement and toenail-related quality of life. Results After a minimum duration of follow-up of 7 months and a maximum of 9 months, participants in the active solution group experienced statistically significantly greater mycological cure (1 [2.63%] placebo versus 17 [54.84%] active, p < 0.0001) and clinical cure (2 [5.56%] placebo versus 21 [70%] active, p < 0.0001), including 47.62% of which showed complete clearance of visible nail plate involvement with no residual gross nail plate dystrophy and improved toenail-related quality of life, including less symptom bothersomeness (p < 0.0344), less overall toenail problems (p < 0.0315), and greater satisfaction with treatment (p < 0.0195) as early as the 3-month follow-up visit. In addition, the active solution group experienced less frequent symptoms (p = 0.0046 at 9 months) and symptom bothersomeness (p = 0.0002 at 7 months, < 0.0001 at 9 months), less difficulty caring for toenails and better toenail appearance (p = 0.0250 at 7 months, p= 0.007 at 9 months), improved physical activity and less toenail pain (p = 0.0208 at 7 months, p = 0.003 at 9 months), less overall toenail problems (p = 0.0002 at 7 months, p = 0.0006 at 9 months), and greater treatment satisfaction (p = 0.0003 at 7 months, p = 0.0015 at 9 months). Conclusions Participants with pedal onychomycosis that were randomized to the active topical solution showed statistically significantly greater mycological and clinical cures, as well as improved quality of life, in comparison with those allocated to the placebo topical solution. Trial Registration ISRCTN Protocol no. 77852934.https://doi.org/10.1007/s40121-025-01165-8DermatophyteOnyCOE-t™PAS stainQuality of lifeTolcylen®Tolnaftate
spellingShingle Donald Scot Malay
Hye Rin Kim
Nicholas John Perfetti
Yolanda R. Marshall
Peter J. Bregman
Allysa M. Vavra
Efficacy of Topical Antifungal Nail Solution Versus Topical Placebo Solution for the Treatment of Pedal Onychomycosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Infectious Diseases and Therapy
Dermatophyte
OnyCOE-t™
PAS stain
Quality of life
Tolcylen®
Tolnaftate
title Efficacy of Topical Antifungal Nail Solution Versus Topical Placebo Solution for the Treatment of Pedal Onychomycosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
title_full Efficacy of Topical Antifungal Nail Solution Versus Topical Placebo Solution for the Treatment of Pedal Onychomycosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
title_fullStr Efficacy of Topical Antifungal Nail Solution Versus Topical Placebo Solution for the Treatment of Pedal Onychomycosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
title_full_unstemmed Efficacy of Topical Antifungal Nail Solution Versus Topical Placebo Solution for the Treatment of Pedal Onychomycosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
title_short Efficacy of Topical Antifungal Nail Solution Versus Topical Placebo Solution for the Treatment of Pedal Onychomycosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
title_sort efficacy of topical antifungal nail solution versus topical placebo solution for the treatment of pedal onychomycosis a randomized controlled trial
topic Dermatophyte
OnyCOE-t™
PAS stain
Quality of life
Tolcylen®
Tolnaftate
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s40121-025-01165-8
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