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Psoronychomycosis: A New Term for an Old Problem.
1University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery
|March 20, 2016
Summary
Psoriatic nail disease is common, but onychomycosis is often overlooked. This study suggests a new term, "psoronychomycosis," for the rare co-occurrence of psoriasis and fungal nail infections.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Mycology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Psoriatic nail disease affects a significant percentage of psoriasis patients.
- Nail changes in psoriasis can be resistant to treatment and clinically mimic fungal infections.
- Onychomycosis is frequently misdiagnosed or overlooked in patients with psoriatic nails.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of onychomycosis in patients with psoriatic nail changes.
- To differentiate between psoriatic nails and onychomycosis, especially in treatment-resistant cases.
- To propose a term for the co-existence of psoriasis and onychomycosis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 361 patients.
- Analysis of patient data regarding psoriatic nail disease and fungal infections.
- Clinical assessment and diagnostic criteria for psoriasis and onychomycosis.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of both psoriasis and onychomycosis was found to be less than 1% in the studied cohort.
- Clinical similarity often leads to misattribution of nail changes solely to psoriasis.
- A rare combination of psoriasis and onychomycosis was identified.
Conclusions:
- Onychomycosis should be considered in patients with psoriatic nail disease, particularly those unresponsive to treatment.
- The term "psoronychomycosis" is proposed for the infrequent co-occurrence of psoriasis and onychomycosis.
- Accurate diagnosis is crucial to ensure appropriate management and avoid undertreatment of fungal nail infections.
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