Korean J Dermatol.  2024 Sep;62(8):447-454.

Epidemiology of Trachyonychia and Comparison of its Clinical Features according to the Presence of Associated Diseases

• Kim J
• Han GH
• Yun SJ
• Lee JB

Abstract

Background
Trachyonychia is a type of nail dystrophy. Various associated diseases have been linked to it. However, no research has investigated whether clinical features differ depending on the presence of these associated diseases.
Objective
This study aimed to describe the epidemiology and clinical features of trachyonychia in South Korea. We also analyzed whether clinical features differed based on the presence of associated diseases.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed medical records and clinical photographs of patients who visited our medical center with trachyonychia as their primary complaint between March 2003 and March 2021. Severity was evaluated using the Physical Global Assessment scale with 5 grades based on the affected area and degree of nail roughness.
Results
This study included 100 cases of idiopathic trachyonychia and 24 cases of non-idiopathic trachyonychia. There were no significant differences in age, sex, subtype, severity, symptoms, or the number of affected nails between the two groups. However, patients with non-idiopathic trachyonychia had a significantly longer treatment duration and showed fewer complete responses to treatment.
Conclusion
While this study showed no significant difference in initial presentation between idiopathic and non-idiopathic trachyonychia, it could not definitively determine treatment response due to uncontrolled treatment modalities in both groups. Therefore, further clinical studies with controlled treatment protocols are warranted.

Keyword

Complications; Trachyonychia