title: Severe onychophagia and finger mutilation associated with obstructive sleep apnea.
abstract: Untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can lead to important neurobehavioral consequences including cognitive deficits, hyperactivity/inattention, daytime sleepiness, and mood disturbances. Interestingly, the potential role of OSA in the pathogenesis of impulse-control disorders such as nail biting (onychophagia) is currently unknown. We present a case of a man with severe onychophagia and biting-induced finger mutilation that was completely resolved after diagnosis and treatment of severe OSA. Accordingly, this report represents an important clinical observation that suggests a connection between sleep physiology and the neurobiological circuits implicated in the regulation of impulse-control behaviors. Further research in this area may improve our current understanding of the neurobehavioral consequences of untreated OSA.
authors.affiliation: Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, Division of Pediatric Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033-0850, USA. gninobarrera@hmc.psu.edu
authors.forename: Gustavo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nino
authors.forename: Ravi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Singareddy
mesh_terms: D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009259:Nail Biting; D017286:Polysomnography / Q000379:methods; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration / Q000379:methods*; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000150:complications* / Q000517:prevention & control; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: OSA; finger mutilation; nail biting; onychophagia