Dynamics of psoriatic trachyonychia during low-dose cyclosporin A treatment: a pilot study on onychochronobiology using optical profilometry.
BACKGROUND
The effect of low-dose cyclosporin A (CsA) on psoriatic onychopathy has not yet been thoroughly studied.


OBJECTIVE
To measure the changes in nail surface contours during a 3-mg/kg/day CsA therapy.


METHODS
In vivo optical profilometry was performed at regular intervals in 5 psoriatic patients to derive mean roughness (Ra) and mean depth of roughness (Rz) values of nails. Segmental Rz served to evaluate long-term onychochronobiology.


RESULTS
Untreated psoriatic trachyonychia was best described by Rz which showed large interindividual differences. A progressive improvement in segmental Rz took place after 2-3 months of maintenance therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
CsA improves psoriatic onychopathy after an apparent lag phase. The maximum improvement may only be reached during the CsA tapering phase.
Piérard
G E
GE
Department of Dermatopathology, University of Liège, Belgium.
Piérard-Franchimont
C
C
D000328:Adult; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D009260:Nail Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D009262:Nails / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D016572:Cyclosporine