A Hospital-Based Analysis of Frequency of Various Types of Nail Changes in Psoriasis

Abstract

Objective: To assess the frequency of nail changes in patients of psoriasis.
Methods: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted in the Department of Dermatology, Allied/ D.H.Q Hospitals, Faisalabad Medical University over a period of six months. After approval from hospital ethical committee, all the patients of psoriasis with nail changes were enrolled through nonprobability consecutive sampling. Detailed cutaneous examination was done. Types of psoriatic nail changes i.e. pitting, onycholysis, oil drop discoloration, subungual hyperkeratosis, leukonychia and splinter haemorrhages were noted. Demographic and clinical data was recorded on a predesigned proforma.
Results: Out of total 125 patients, 90 (72%) were males while 35(28%) were females. Mean age of the patients was 37.58±8.19 years. Frequency of various types of nail changes in psoriasis was recorded as follows: Pitting was seen in 77 (61.6%), Onycholysis in 64 (51.2%), Oil drops in 56 (44.8%), Leukonychia in 48 (38.4%), Subungual Hyperkeratosis in 43 (34.4%) and Splinter haemorrhages in 18 (14.4%) patients.
Conclusion: We concluded Pitting as the commonest change in nails of psoriatic patients followed by Onycholysis, Oil drop discoloration, Leukonychia, Subungual hyperkeratosis and Splinter haemorrhages.

How to cite: Mehwish A., Shahid M., Shehzad A., Tariq H., Kanwal A., Safdar A. A Hospital-Based Analysis of Frequency of Various Types of Nail Changes in Psoriasis. Esculapio 2021;17(03):