title: Nail changes in connective tissue diseases: a study of 39 cases.
abstract: The objective is to identify nail unit changes associated with connective tissue diseases (CTD) and evaluate their frequency. We carried a prospective study between March 2012 and March2013 in our department. All patients with CTD were included. A clinical examination of the fingernails was done by the same dermatologist. Nail features were noted and classified and photos taken. Thirty nine patients were enrolled including: 16 systemic sclerosis, 14 lupus erythematosus (SLE), 8 dermatomyositis (DM), 1 primary Sjorgen's syndrome. The mean age was 40 years old. The mean duration of the disease was 6 years. Nail unit changes were present in 27 patients (69%). The abnormalities observed were Longitidunal ridging in 11 patients, Peri ungueal erythema in 10 patients, Peri-ungual telangiectasia in 11 patients, Ragged cuticle in 10 patients fingertips scars in 9 patients, Increase of longitudinal curvature and beaking of the nail in 4 patients, Increase in transverse curvature in 4 patients, dyschromia of the proximal nail fold in 3 patients, Subungual hyperkeratosis in 3 patients, onycholysis in 2 patients, splinter haemorrhages in 3 patients, nail plate pigmentation in 2 patients, pseudoclubbing in 1 patient, macrolunula in 1 patients, Red lunulae in one patient, bluish-black discoloration of the nail plate in one patient. The proximal nailfold was found to be most sites affected.
authors.affiliation: Department of dermatology, Ibn Rushd University Hospital, Casablanca, Morocco.
authors.forename: Imane
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Elmansour
authors.affiliation: Department of dermatology, Ibn Rushd University Hospital, Casablanca, Morocco.
authors.forename: Soumia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chiheb
authors.affiliation: Department of dermatology, Ibn Rushd University Hospital, Casablanca, Morocco.
authors.forename: Hakima
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Benchikhi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D004890:Erythema / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009260:Nail Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Nail changes; Periungueal telangiectasia; connective tissue diseases; fingertips scars; longitudinal ridging; nail fold; peri ungueal erythema; ragged cuticle