The effect of aromatic retinoid Ro 10-9359 (etretinate) on fingernail growth

Fingernail growth was studied in 28 patients who were receiving systemic treatment with the aromatic retinoid, Ro 10-9359 known as Tigason (etretinate; AR). A group of 15 patients with psoriasis was compared with a group of 13 patients with other dermatoses which are known to have a good response to AR therapy. In the second group, oral therapy with AR appeared to have no effect on the daily growth rate of fingernails (99 +/- 4 microns). With AR treatment, the nail-plate growth rate in the psoriatics increased to 132 +/- 5 microns.