title: Dexamethasone iontophoresis for the treatment of nail psoriasis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Severe nail psoriasis can impact significantly on quality of life and is difficult to treat.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective study of all patients treated with dexamethasone iontophoresis weekly for at least 3 months at our specialist nail clinic between 1996 and 2011. Response to treatment was assessed on clinical photographs using the nail psoriasis severity index (NAPSI) scoring.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all, 27 patients were assessed, of whom 81 per cent showed an improvement in their nails. The treatment was well tolerated, with only one patient reporting fissuring of the fingertips.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dexamethasone iontophoresis may be a useful treatment of this generally recalcitrant condition.
authors: Monash Medical Centre, Southern Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors: Quynh Van
authors: QV
authors: Le
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Howard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007478:Iontophoresis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009262:Nails; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone