Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia (Dec 2013)

Perception of brittle nails in dermatologic patients: a cross-sectional study

  • Giulio Cesar Gequelim,
  • Cynthia Yone Kubota,
  • Sarah Sanches,
  • Daniela Dranka,
  • Marcelo Murilo Mejia,
  • Fernando Mitsuo Sumiya,
  • Juliano Vilaverde Schmitt

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/abd1806-4841.20132327
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 88, no. 6
pp. 1022 – 1025

Abstract

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Brittle Nails Syndrome is characterized by fragility of the nail plate, affecting 27% of women. We evaluated dermatology patients in a cross-sectional study about perception of nail fragility. One hundred and thirtyeight women were included, with median age of 36.5 years. Nail examination showed changes in 57% and 49% reported nail fragility. The first three fingernails were the most affected. Onychoschizia was related to onychophagia (OR = 3.29), housework (OR = 2.95) and water contact (OR = 2.44). Onychorrhexis had the strongest association with nail fragility perception (OR = 17.89). The fragility was more perceived by those who were black, of mixed race and atopic, and was associated with depressed mood.

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