The prevalence of onychomycosis differs according to geographic area and over time and is influenced by several factors. The epidemiology of onychomycosis in Italy is still unclear. To evaluate the prevalence of onychomycosis in a representative sample of the Italian population a group of Dermatologists and General Practitioners carried out an observational survey on the patients coming to their office during a 1-month period. Any patient with skin or systemic disease giving their consent was enrolled. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, lifestyles, history of previous mycosis, clinical aspects of onychomycosis and mycological evaluation were studied. A total of 8331 patients (56.7% female and 43.3% male) were evaluated. More than half of them were aged ≥46 years. Onychomycosis was diagnosed in 14.2% of patients. Big toe and thumb were the most frequently affected nails. Onychomycosis was moderate-severe in 74.1% of the cases. Mycological tests were positive in 81.3% of the cases. Dermatophytes were found in 76.6% of the cases, yeasts in 17.2% and moulds in 6.3%. Risk factors and/or comorbidities were present in 68.2% of the cases. This survey showed a 14% prevalence of onychomycosis in the evaluated population. The main risk factors were previous onychomycosis, diabetes, hallux valgus and use of occlusive footwear.
Glaucoma, a heterogeneous set of progressively degenerative optic neuropathies characterized by a loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and typical visual field deficits that can progress to blindness, is a neurodegenerative disease involving both ocular and visual brain structures. Although elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) remains the most important modifiable risk factor of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and is the main therapeutic target in treating glaucoma, other factors that influence the disease course are involved and reaching the optimal IOP target does not stop the progression of glaucoma, as the visual field continues to narrow. In addition to a managed IOP, neuroprotection may be beneficial by slowing the progression of glaucoma and improving the visual defects. Citicoline (cytidine 5′-diphosphocholine) is a naturally occurring endogenous compound that has been investigated as a novel therapeutic agent for the management of glaucoma. Citicoline has demonstrated activity in a range of central neurodegenerative diseases, and experimental evidence suggests a it performs a neuromodulator and neuroprotective role on neuronal cells, including RGCs, associated with improvement in visual function, extension of the visual field and central benefits for the patient. This review aims to critically summarize the current evidence for the neuroprotective properties of citicoline in glaucoma.
PurposeTo identify the silent thief of sight in asymptomatic citizens of Sassari and assess the importance of the screening in glaucoma.MethodsSeven ophthalmologists performed free specialist examinations and included 322 asymptomatic subjects from 40 to 80 years. All volunteers attended the screening with assessment of intraocular pressure (IOP, air‐puff tonometer TX‐f Canon) and optic disc evaluation by fundus biomicroscopy. Subjects with optic nerve cupping underwent retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness examination (i‐Vue OptoVue OCT).ResultsSubjects with a diagnosis of hypertension or treated for glaucoma were excluded. Of the total 322 volunteers included, 23.6% had glaucoma familiarity, 8.7% declared that the screening was the first ophthalmological visit and 55,28% stated that they had never been examined with tonometry before. IOP was >21 mmHg in the 7% and optic disc showed abnormal cupping in 6.8% of the volunteers. The 2.48% of the subjects had both ocular hypertension (IOP>21 mmHg) and papillary abnormalities, and 7.4% of the 27 OCT performed showed anomalies.ConclusionsGlaucoma is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness, but early detection and treatment could prevent severe vision loss. For these reasons, glaucoma screenings are fundamental even though they could have limited diagnostic power. In fact, subjects with OCT anomalies were directed to further examinations. The results of this screening are quite impressive, most of all the 8% of patients declaring that they had never underwent an ophthalmological visit and the 55% of patient that undertake a tonometry for the first time. The discrepancy between these data stresses the importance of a regular ophthalmological examination that is still confused with the visual acuity assessment made by opticians. Only a complete ophthalmological visit can diagnose conditions affecting irreversibly the vision, such as the silent thief of sight.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.