Muehrcke lines associated to active rheumatoid arthritis

J Clin Rheumatol. 2013 Jan;19(1):30-1. doi: 10.1097/RHU.0b013e31827d8a45.

Abstract

Careful examination of the fingernails and toenails can help to detect underlying systemic diseases. Physicians should look for shape, growth, or color changes in the nails; the transverse nail discolorations include different diagnostic possibilities such as Muehrcke lines and Mees lines. Leukonychia striata or Muehrcke lines are transverse nail bands of discoloration that are unspecific, and there are around 70 different causes that include cancer treatment and less commonly rheumatic diseases. In this case, we report the unusual presentation of Muehrcke lines associated with active rheumatoid arthritis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / diagnosis*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / physiopathology*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydroxychloroquine / therapeutic use
  • Nail Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Nail Diseases / pathology
  • Nails / pathology*
  • Pregnenediones / therapeutic use
  • Severity of Illness Index*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Pregnenediones
  • Hydroxychloroquine
  • deflazacort