Background: Superficial fungal infections, primarily caused by dermatophytes, are among the most prevalent dermatological conditions globally. Given the rising antifungal resistance and regional treatment disparities, this study evaluates and compares the therapeutic outcomes of fluconazole and ketoconazole in superficial fungal infections.
Materials and Methods: This prospective, comparative study was conducted at the Department of Microbiology, Madha Medical College, Chennai, from January to December 2017. A total of 120 patients clinically diagnosed with superficial fungal infections were randomized into two treatment groups: Group A (fluconazole 150 mg weekly) and Group B (ketoconazole 200 mg daily), administered for four weeks. Clinical efficacy, adverse effects, and recurrence rates were recorded. Data were analyzed using chi-square and unpaired t-tests with significance set at p<0.05.
Results: Among the 120 participants, 60 received fluconazole and 60 received ketoconazole. At the end of four weeks, complete clinical cure was achieved in 76.7% of Group A and 65.0% of Group B (p=0.02). Adverse effects were more frequent in the ketoconazole group (20%) than in the fluconazole group (8.3%) (p=0.04). Recurrence at four weeks post-treatment was lower in the fluconazole group (6.7%) compared to ketoconazole (15%) (p=0.03).
Conclusion: Fluconazole demonstrated superior efficacy, lower recurrence, and better tolerability compared to ketoconazole in the management of superficial fungal infections. These findings support its preferential use, especially in outpatient dermatological settings.
International Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy Sciences
