A study of dermoscopic features of nail psoriasis

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Dermoscopy is a non-invasive imaging method that enables the evaluation of pigmented and non-pigmented skin lesions. More recently, dermoscopy has been recognized as an effective tool in the diagnosis of nail diseases. AIM: To evaluate the dermoscopic features of nail psoriasis and to assess the relationship between these features and disease severity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: < 0.05. RESULTS: The most frequently observed dermoscopic features were splinter haemorrhage (73.1%), pitting (58.2%), distal onycholysis (55.2%), dilated hyponychial capillaries (35.8%) and the pseudo-fiber sign (34.3%). The pseudo-fiber sign, dilated hyponychial capillaries, nail plate thickening and crumbling, subungual hyperkeratosis, transverse grooves, trachyonychia, pitting and salmon patches were positively associated with disease severity. CONCLUSIONS: The pseudo-fiber sign described in this study appears to be a novel dermoscopic feature of nail psoriasis. We have demonstrated positive associations between a number of dermoscopic manifestations and disease severity. Further studies are required to support the present findings.