Clinical Features and Classification of Nail Diseases.
- Author:
Jeong Aee KIM
1
;
Hee Chul EUN
;
Sang Eun MOON
;
Kwang Hyun CHO
;
Hyoun Seung LEE
;
Bang Soon KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University College of Medicine.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Nail;
Nail disease;
Classification
- MeSH:
Classification*;
Dermatology;
Diagnosis;
Female;
Humans;
Nail Diseases*;
Onycholysis;
Paronychia;
Retrospective Studies;
Seoul;
Sex Distribution
- From:Korean Journal of Dermatology
1999;37(12):1733-1742
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
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.
