Frequency of nail changes in patients with psoriasis reporting to PNS, Shifa Naval Hospital, Karachi

Objective: To evaluate the frequency of nail involvement in psoriatic patients in local population and to evaluate major patient characteristics with nail psoriasis. Patients and methods: One hundred consecutive patients with psoriasis in dermatology out/inpatient department participated in the study. Study duration was over one year from July 2007 to July 2008. Results: Nail changes were present in 71 (71%) patients. Out of the 100 psoriatic patients. The most common nail abnormality observed on both fingernails and toenails was pitting followed by onycholysis. Patients with psoriatic nail changes were significantly older than psoriatic patient without nail changes. Duration of psoriasis was significantly higher in patients with psoriatic nail changes. Fungal infection was positive in 9% of patients with nail changes. Conclusion: Dystrophic nails are frequently found in psoriatic individuals. Frequency of nail involvement in our patient is probably similar to those in their European and American counterparts. Among various nail changes pitting and onycholysis are the most common finding. Fungal colonization of psoriatic nails is a quite frequent clinical problem and should be taken into consideration by dermatologists working with psoriatic patient.