Nail abnormalities in nondermatologic patients: Prevalence and possible role as diagnostic aids

摘要: Abstract Background : Nail changes have traditionally been used as diagnostic aids. Their usefulness in general and predictive value particular, however, is not known. Objective Our purpose was to survey nail clarify the potential of abnormalities diagnose nondermatologic diseases. Methods The fingernails 567 patients admitted medical surgical wards were examined. point prevalence rates calculated on basis a binomial distribution. results compared with diagnosis logistic regression analysis correcting for age sex. Results most common findings absence lunulae (22.9% [19.5% 26.6%]), white nails or apparent leukonychia (11.8% [9.3% 14.8%]), red (5.1% [3.5% 7.3%]). following significant associations noted: pulmonary disease clubbing (odds ratio[OR] = 4.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7 9.5), hematologic brittle (OR 4.6, CI=1.6 13.7), Terry 8.7, CI=2.7 27.0), gastrointestinal pincer 33.6, CI=3.7 307.3), subjective complaints 2.7, CI=1.4 5.0). Conclusion Several identified, suggesting that can be clues chronic An association between has previously described.