Clinical observations on nail changes in psoriasis

Ann Acad Med Singap. 1988 Oct;17(4):482-5.

Abstract

410 cases of psoriasis [282 males (68%) and 127 females (31%)] were interviewed and examined to study the nail changes. The prevalence of nail changes was 78.0% (males = females). Common changes were pitting (67.5%) and onycholysis (67.2%). Dystrophy of varying degrees occurred in 35.0%, subungual hyperkeratosis in 24.7%, discoloration in 18.4%, loss of nails in 2.8% and pustulation in 1.3%. Pitting and onycholysis was the most common combination (45.6%). Nail changes were significantly more common in patients who have moderate to severe psoriasis as compared with patients with mild psoriasis; in patients who have psoriasis for greater than 5 years as compared with patients who have psoriasis for less than 5 years; and in patients older than age 50 as compared with those aged less than 50. A definite correlation was found between the prevalence of nail changes and the presence of scalp and periungual psoriasis, and the presence of joint involvement.

MeSH terms

  • Arthritis / complications
  • Arthritis / epidemiology
  • Arthritis / ethnology
  • China / ethnology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • India / ethnology
  • Malaysia / ethnology
  • Male
  • Nail Diseases / complications*
  • Nail Diseases / epidemiology
  • Nail Diseases / ethnology
  • Psoriasis / complications*
  • Singapore