Evaluation of the Readability Level of the Package Inserts of Topical Antifungal Drugs

Background: Fungi can cause infections in a number of body parts, including the skin, nails, hair and vulva-vaginal tissues. Topical antifungal drugs are the ones most frequently used to treat these infections. Like with any medication, patients must comprehend the drug pamphlets in order to properly use antifungal medications and adhere to their treatment plans. This study aims to assess topical antifungal medication package insert readability. Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess topical antifungal medicine package insert readability using the Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL) readability formulas. Methods: The package inserts of 97 topical antifungal medications from the drugs.com website was examined for this investigation. With the exception of the "Package contents and other information" section, readability scores were determined for each supplement's five primary sections. The SMOG and FKGL formulae were used to assess readability. SPSS v28.0 was used for statistical analyses, and the Shapiro-Wilk test was employed to verify that the data were normally distributed. To assess the outcomes, descriptive statistical analyses were performed. Results: The analysis determined that the Flesch Reading Ease Score was 60.76±6.08, and the total average Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level for the entire prospectus was 7.59±0.91. 11.45±1.09 was the mean SMOG score. The package inserts for the miconazole group showed somewhat lower FKGL and higher Flesch Reading Ease ratings. This suggests that this group is more readable than the others. The majority of the prospectuses could be read by students in the seventh grade. Additionally, variations across various drug formulations were discovered. The most readable forms were cream and gel. Conclusion: Topical antifungal medication leaflets have a generally moderate literacy level, suitable for students in the seventh grade. To improve patient comprehension, some sections—especially those on possible adverse effects—might need to be further clarified. Making package inserts more readable could help improve patient outcomes by encouraging adherence to treatment plans.