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Pemphigus is a group of autoimmune mucocutaneous bullous disorders characterized by acantholysis resulting from autoantibodies targeting epithelial cell surface antigens. Studies reflect the presence of nail manifestations in some patients and suggest a potential correlation with clinical severity. This study examines the overall prevalence and characterizes the diverse manifestations of nail changes in pemphigus. We searched Cochrane, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and LILACS from 1990 to June 26, 2023 for studies reporting different nail changes in pemphigus patients. Data were collected and pooled to obtain proportions of the prevalence of nail changes in patients with pemphigus and subgroup analysis for pemphigus foliaceous and pemphigus vulgaris. The risk of bias was assessed with the Joanna Briggs Institute Checklist. Of 321 studies screened, 14 studies with 1,208 patients were included. Paronychia (n = 185) and Beau's lines (n = 104) were the most common nail changes identified. The pooled prevalence of nail disease in pemphigus patients was 0.389 (number of studies; [95% CI]: n = 9; [0.160-0.680], with high heterogeneity between studies (I 2  = 95.0%, P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis revealed the highest prevalence in pemphigus foliaceous at 0.342 (n = 3; [0.109-0.688]) and pemphigus vulgaris at 0.396 (n = 5; [0.114-0.769]). Nail changes exhibited varied temporal relationships with disease onset and flares, preceding, concurrent, or following these events. Correlation with disease severity was noted, although discrepancies between studies were reported. Nail changes in pemphigus, particularly pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceous, may be underrecognized. Observations regarding temporal associations and potential correlations with disease severity highlight the diagnostic and prognostic implications of nail changes in pemphigus. The limitations of this study include study heterogeneity and possible bias. Further research to establish the correlation of the presence and severity of nail changes on the overall disease course would be helpful., (© 2024 the International Society of Dermatology.)

Background: Nail involvement is not well-studied in atopic dermatitis but is believed to be more common than what is known. The spectrum of nail disorders that result from underlying atopic dermatitis (AD) is wide and has been reported in several studies, but there has been no systematic review so far to understand and quantify its prevalence., Objective: To determine the prevalence and type of nail disorders seen in AD, either as a complication of the underlying condition or as a clue to its early diagnosis., Methods: The authors performed a systematic review of English and non-English articles using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane which reported the proportion of nail changes among AD patients. Only studies specifically looking at AD and its associated nail manifestations were included. Data were extracted and summarized descriptively., Results: Twelve studies reported proportion of nail changes among AD patients. One study reported numbers in both adults and children cohorts, allowing 13 cohorts for final systematic review., Conclusions: Knowledge of the types and prevalence of nail changes in AD raises awareness among physicians managing AD., (© 2019 The International Society of Dermatology.)

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune condition that usually presents as patchy, nonscarring hair loss. Autoimmune disorders and atopy are reported as comorbid conditions. We aimed to investigate the demographics, clinical characteristics, and associations of AA in Tunisian patients., Methods: Demographic data, pattern of alopecia, age of onset, and associations were evaluated in 204 patients from January 2012 to June 2016., Results: Two hundred and four cases of AA were seen. The male to female ratio was 0.68. The mean age at presentation was 23 years old. Positive family history was noticed in 22.1% of patients. Personal history of atopy was associated with AA in 18.1%. Associated autoimmune diseases were thyroid disorders (12.7%), vitiligo (1.5%), psoriasis (three cases), type 1 diabetes (two cases), autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) syndrome (two cases), lichen sclerosus atrophicus (one case), and pemphigus vulgaris (one case). Patchy AA was the most common manifestation (49.5%) followed by alopecia universalis (27.5%), alopecia ophiasis (12.7%), and alopecia totalis (10.3%). Nail changes consisting of pitting, trachyonychia, and longitudinal ridging were reported in 24.8%. AA patterns were more severe in females (P = 0.049). Severe forms showed more persistent disease duration (P = 0.005), earlier onset (P = 0.001), and more recurring episodes (P = 0.002) and were significantly associated with nail involvement (P < 0.001)., Conclusions: Our study aimed to review epidemio-clinical characteristics and comorbid conditions of AA in Tunisian patients. More severe cases with a pejorative value of early-onset AA, long disease duration, and nail involvement were seen in our study., (© 2019 The International Society of Dermatology.)

Background: Skin diseases characterize all stages of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and contribute significantly to associated morbidity and mortality., Objectives: The aim of this study was to document the prevalences, patterns, and extents (severity) of skin diseases and their relationships with immunologic status in HIV/AIDS patients., Methods: A total of 140 HIV/AIDS patients in different stages of HIV infection and 140 controls were recruited. Skin diseases were documented and CD4+ cell counts determined in all subjects. Severity was assessed according to the body surface area affected (using the Wallace rule of nines and the rule of palm) for lesions that tended to be widespread. The number of digits involved was counted for lesions involving the nails. Intensity of pain was graded for specific conditions such as herpes zoster. Chi-squared statistics and Pearson correlations were determined., Results: Mean±standard deviation age was 35.04±8.83 years in the patient group and 32.21±8.30 years in the control group. The prevalences and patterns of skin diseases in HIV/AIDS patients were similar to those reported in previous studies. Most commonly found dermatoses were oral candidiasis (n=28, 20.0%), pruritic papular eruption (n=27, 19.3%), xeroderma (n=23, 16.4%), dermatophytosis (n=22, 15.7%), and fluffy hair (n=19, 13.6%). The presence of specific skin lesions represented a better correlate with immunosuppression than cutaneous extents. However, the extents of viral warts and multiple blue–black nails correlated significantly with CD4+ cell count. The presence of a lighter hair color phenotype signifies a lower CD4+ cell count than a softer hair phenotype., Conclusions: The presence of specific skin lesions correlates more strongly with a low CD4+ cell count than does the extent of their distribution, except in cases of viral warts. The presence of and higher numbers of nails affected with blue–black nail hyperpigmentation suggest severe immunosuppression.

Background: The Classification of Psoriatic Arthritis Study Group published new criteria for classifying psoriatic arthritis (PsA) which included nail psoriasis. Our aim was to clarify the clinical importance of nail disease in PsA patients., Methods: We investigated the types and severity of nail disease by using the modified nail psoriasis severity score index (mNAPSI) in 23 PsA patients and 23 patients with uncomplicated psoriasis. We analyzed the relationships of mNAPSI with nail fold psoriasis, psoriasis area and severity index score, swollen and/or tender joint counts, distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint disease, acute phase reactants and the score on the Japanese version of the standard health assessment questionnaire., Results: The mNAPSI in 23 PsA patients was higher than that of controls (4.8 ± 5.3 vs. 2.3 ± 3.7, P < 0.05). The severity of fingernail disease in PsA patients was significantly associated with DIP joint disease (8.6 ± 5.9 vs. 3.1 ± 3.3, P < 0.05) and nail fold psoriasis (6.7 ± 5.2 vs. 3.5 ± 5.2, P < 0.05). There were no correlations between the mNAPSI and other systemic involvements., Conclusions: The nail involvement and prolonged nail bed psoriasis were common in PsA patients. Nail fold psoriasis and DIP joint arthritis were associated with nail involvement in PsA patients. Nail psoriasis would be related to the Koebner phenomenon and local inflammatory DIP joint arthritis in PsA patients, and we suggested that nail involvement in PsA was among the disorders indicative of distal phalanx enthesitis., (© 2010 The International Society of Dermatology.)