Pincer nail deformity associated with systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder with various systemic and cutaneous manifestations. Nail abnormalities, including onycholysis, red lunulae, pitting, and ridging, have been seen in patients with the disorder. To our knowledge, however, pincer nail deformity has yet to be reported coincident with the onset of SLE.

We report a case of pincer nail deformity subsequent to the development of SLE and describe surgical treatment of the deformed nails. This is followed by a review of the literature.

Acquired pincer nail is a dystrophy with numerous reported causative associations, including psoriasis, tumors of the nail apparatus, tinea ungium, ss-blocker usage, and now SLE. Pain from the resulting constriction can interfere greatly with daily activities and can be debilitating to the extent of requiring therapy.