Nail changes in pemphigus vulgaris.
BACKGROUND
The frequency and types of nail changes in pemphigus vulgaris (PV) are unclear. Aim To determine the frequency and types of nail changes, and their correlation with the number of skin and periungual bullae.


METHODS
Seventy-nine patients with PV, including 59 new patients and 20 patients in relapse, were entered into the study. Microscopic examination in potassium hydroxide and culture for fungus were performed on all clinically abnormal nails.


RESULTS
Twenty-five (31.6%) of 79 patients showed nail changes, with paronychia (n = 8) and onychomadesis (n = 6) being the most common. One patient in relapse had onychomycosis. The frequency of nail changes in fingers affected by periungual bullae was significantly higher than in other fingers (P < 0.05). The number of nail changes was higher in patients with a larger number of skin bullae and in those with a longer duration of disease (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Nail changes in PV are common and related to the number of skin bullae and the presence of periungual bullae.
Habibi
Mohammadali
M
Department of Dermatology, Pemphigus Research Unit, Razi Hospital, Tehran University for Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mortazavi
Hossein
H
Shadianloo
Shervin
S
Balighi
Kamran
K
Ghodsi
S Zahra
SZ
Daneshpazhooh
Maryam
M
Valikhani
Mahin
M
Ghassabian
Akhgar
A
Pooli
Aydin H
AH
Chams-Davatchi
Cheyda
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009260:Nail Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D009262:Nails / Q000473:pathology; D010390:Pemphigoid, Benign Mucous Membrane / Q000150:complications; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult