@article{3084742,
    title = "High prevalence of foot diseases in Europe: results of the Achilles
Project",
    author = "Burzykowski, T and Molenberghs, G and Abeck, D and Haneke, E and Hay, R and and Katsambas, A and Roseeuw, D and van de Kerkhof, P and van Aelst, R and and Marynissen, G",
    journal = "Mycoses",
    year = "2003",
    volume = "46",
    number = "11-12",
    pages = "496-505",
    publisher = "Blackwell Verlag GmbH Berlin",
    issn = "0933-7407, 1439-0507",
    doi = "10.1046/j.0933-7407.2003.00933.x",
    keywords = "foot disease; fungal; non-fungal; predisposing factors",
    abstract = "Objective. To provide an insight into the prevalence of foot disease in
Europe, and to include an assessment of the prevalence of predisposing
factors and their correlation with foot disease. Design. Large
population-based survey conducted in 16 European countries. Setting. The
project consisted of two parts (study I and study II), in which all
patients presenting to general practitioners and dermatologists over a
defined time period were invited to participate. Patients. In study I,
70 497 patients presenting to dermatologists or general practitioners
were recruited, and in study II 19 588 patients presenting to
dermatologists were recruited. Main outcome measure. The feet of all
participants were examined for signs of foot disease. The assessors also
recorded relevant details such as the age and sex of patients, and the
presence of predisposing factors for foot disease. In addition, patients
in study II were offered a free mycological examination of the toenails
and skin on the feet. Results. In study I, 57.0% of patients had at
least one foot disease. In study II, 61.3% had at least one foot
disease. The proportions of patients with fungal foot disease and
non-fungal foot disease in study I were 34.9% and 38.4%, respectively,
and in study II were 40.6% and 41.7%, respectively. Orthopedic
conditions and metatarsal corns were the most frequently reported
non-fungal foot diseases, and onychomycosis and tinea pedis were the
most frequently observed fungal infections. Conclusions. This
large-scale survey suggests that the prevalence of fungal and non-fungal
foot disease is higher than previously estimated."
}