Onychodystrophy: A possible marker for peripheral artery disease

Abstract

Background: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is quite common, particularly among the elderly. In advanced phases, it has an important impact in the quality of life, so it is recommended to identify this disease on early stages. Onychodystrophy is a deformity of the nail plate of any origin. Up to 50% are caused by fungal infection, the rest is mainly secondary to inflammatory processes. Nail inspection is a very accessible task, and valuation of PAD with the ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a noninvasive affordable technique.

Patients and methods: One hundred two self-reported healthy participants were recruited, and the ABI was obtained, as well as inspection of the toenails in search of onychodystrophy.

Results and conclusions: Sixty-seven patients had abnormal ABI measurements. Of these, 39 were diagnosed as having onychodystrophy. These results are statistically significant to support the fact that onychodystrophy may be an early marker of asymptomatic PAD, allowing prompt intervention to ameliorate or stop disease progression.