The ambulatory care burden of nail conditions in the United States.

BACKGROUND

Millions of Americans seek medical care for their nail conditions each year, consulting physicians of many different specialties.

PURPOSE: To characterize the burden of ambulatory nail disease in the United States from 2007 to 2016.

METHODS

The National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) provided data on physician visits relating to nail complaints and nail diagnoses from 2007 to 2016.

RESULTS

Across the estimated 21.1 million outpatient visits for nail conditions from 2007 to 2016, the ratio of females to males diagnosed with each condition was between 45.1% and 52.2%. Whites comprised over 80% of each nail diagnosis. Age group differences varied by nail diagnosis, but overall, patients aged 25-64 presented most frequently with nail complaints. The specialty consulted also varied by nail diagnosis, primarily including dermatology, family medicine, and pediatrics.

LIMITATIONS: We were limited by the accuracy of diagnosis and the specialties included in NAMCS data collection.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients of all ages, races, and sexes consulted physicians for the treatment of nail conditions. Onychomycosis was the most frequently diagnosed nail condition, and consultations were split between dermatologists, pediatricians, and general practitioners.