Korean J Dermatol.
1999 Dec;37(12):1733-1742.
Clinical Features and Classification of Nail Diseases
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University College of Medicine.
- 2Department of Dermatology, Inje Medical College, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract
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BACKGROUND: Nail diseases are frequently encountered disorders to dermatologists comprising approximately 10% of entire dermatologic conditions. Despite tremendous development in dermatology, there are still difficulties in making a proper diagnosis of nail diseases. Furthermore, no methods have proven to be satisfactory in classifying nail diseases up to now.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to clarify and classify the clinical characteristics of patients with nail diseases who visited 'Nail disease clinic' in Seoul National University Hospital, and in Seoul City Boramae Hospital from July, 1996 to December, 1998.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Retrospective analysis was undertaken by reviewing the clinical records, photographs and results of mycological and histopathological studies. Patients were classified according to the cause of their nail diseases or to the main physical signs of nail apparatus.
RESULTS
The total number of patients was 255(male 95, female 160). Specific cause of nail diseases was found in 135 patients(52.9%). The remaining 120 patients were classified according to the main physical signs such as trachyonychia, onycholysis, chronic paronychia and so on.
CONCLUSION
Major disease groups classified according to their physical signs had its own characteristics besides age and sex distribution. So when the cause of nail disease can not be determined, classifying these nail diseases by physical signs could be useful in treating and managing these patients appropriately.
