Abstract: Objective To assess the efficacy,safety and cost-effectiveness of itraconazole and terbinafine for the treatment of onychomycosis,evaluated by the scoring clinical index of onychomycosis (SCIO).Methods The system of SCIO was established and applied to evaluate 200 patients with onychomycosis,who were randomly divided into two treatment groups,one with intermittent pulse itraconazole (Group Ⅰ) and continuous terbinafine (Group T).The therapeutic responses were assessed based on the scores of the target nails with SCIO system.Results Good antifungal effects were achieved in both groups.The short-,medium-,and long-term clinical and mycological cure rates were not significantly different in the two groups (P>0.05).The long-term recurrence rates were 4.26% in Group Ⅰ,and 0 in Group T.Adverse reactions were observed in 23% of Group Ⅰ,and 21% in Group T(P>0.05).Treatment with itraconazole seemed more cost-effective in degree Ⅱ patients,and less cost-effective in degree Ⅲ and Ⅳ patients,than that with terbinafine,however,the differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05).Conclusions The SCIO system is practical to assess the therapeutic effects of itraconazole and terbinafine for patients with onychomycosis.Treatment of onychomycosis with the two drugs is equally effective and safe.

Key words: Onychomycosis, Itraconazole, Terbinafine, Scoring clinical index