Nail lesions in systemic lupus erythematosus

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Dermatology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease with diverse clinical manifestations.
• Nail changes are not widely recognized as a significant diagnostic criterion for SLE.
• Understanding the frequency and significance of nail abnormalities in SLE is crucial for early diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and clinical significance of unusual nail changes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
• To determine if nail changes are associated with disease activity and other specific SLE manifestations.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study was conducted on 165 patients diagnosed with SLE.
• Nail changes were documented and analyzed in relation to disease activity, Raynaud's phenomenon, mucous membrane ulcerations, and other clinical features.
• Statistical analysis was performed to compare the incidence of these features in patients with and without nail changes.

Main Results:

• Unusual nail changes were observed in 42 out of 165 SLE patients (25.5%).
• Nail changes were strongly associated with active disease (39 of 42 patients).
• Patients with nail changes showed a significantly higher incidence of Raynaud's phenomenon and mucous membrane ulcerations compared to those without nail changes.

Conclusions:

• Unusual nail changes are a frequent finding in SLE patients and are linked to active disease.
• The presence of nail changes may serve as a valuable additional clinical criterion for diagnosing SLE.
• Further research into the specific types of nail changes and their diagnostic utility in SLE is warranted.