Psoronychomycosis: A New Term for an Old Problem.

Abstract

Occasionally, psoriatic nail changes are seen in psoriatic patients. The prevalence of psoriasis of the nails has been reported to range from 15% to 79%. Even with effective systemic treatment for psoriasis, the nails may not improve, and these nails are considered nonresponsive psoriatic nails. Psoriatic nails are rarely investigated, and it is assumed that the nail changes are simply attributed to psoriasis because of their clinical similarity. Even patients with nails unresponsive to systemic treatment, or psoriasis treated topically or with phototherapy, onychomycosis is often forgotten, and patients may be left with both onychomycosis and psoriasis or onychomycosis alone. A retrospective chart review of 361 patients was carried out. The investigators report the prevalence of psoriasis and onychomycosis as less than 1%. A new term, "psoronychomycosis," is suggested to denote the rare combination of psoriasis and onychomycosis.