Nail Psoriasis In Patients Research Articles

Nail Psoriasis, the unknown burden of disease

Psoriasis can be found at several different localizations which may be of various impact on patients' quality of life (QoL). One of the easy visible, and difficult to conceal localizations are the nails. To achieve more insight into the QoL of psoriatic patients with nail psoriasis, and to characterize the patients with nail involvement which are more prone to the impact of the nail alterations caused by psoriasis. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to all members (n = 5400) of the Dutch Psoriasis Association. The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Nail Psoriasis Quality of life 10 (NPQ10) score were included as QoL measures. Severity of cutaneous lesions was determined using the self-administered psoriasis area and severity index (SAPASI). Patients with nail psoriasis scored significantly higher mean scores on the DLQI (4.9 vs. 3.7, P = <0.001) and showed more severe psoriasis (SAPASI, 6.6 vs. 5.3, P = <0.001). Patients with coexistence of nail bed and nail matrix features showed higher DLQI scores compared with patients with involvement of one of the two localizations exclusively (5.3 vs. 4.2 vs. 4.3, P = 0.003). Patients with only nail bed alterations scored significant higher NPQ10 scores when compared with patients with only nail matrix features. Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and nail psoriasis experiences more impairments compared with nail psoriasis patients without PsA (DLQI 5.5 vs. 4.3, NPQ10 13.3 vs. 7.0). Females scored higher mean scores on all QoL scores. Greater attention should be paid to the possible impact nail abnormalities have on patients with nail psoriasis, which can be identified by nail psoriasis specific questionnaires such as the NPQ10. As improving the severity of disease may have a positive influence on QoL, the outcome of QoL measurements should be taken into account when deciding on treatment strategies.

A 24-week randomized clinical trial investigating the efficacy and safety of two doses of etanercept in nail psoriasis

Nail psoriasis is common in patients with psoriasis and can seriously affect their quality of life. Current treatments are limited and there is no standard course of therapy. To assess the efficacy and safety of etanercept (ETN) on nail psoriasis in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, who had previously failed at least one form of systemic therapy for nail psoriasis, were randomized to receive open-label ETN 50 mg twice weekly (BIW) for 12 weeks followed by once weekly (QW) for 12 weeks (BIW/QW group) or ETN 50 mg QW for 24 weeks (QW/QW group). The primary endpoint was the mean improvement in the Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI; score range 0-8) over 24 weeks in the target fingernail with the most severe abnormalities. Seventy-two patients received one or more doses of ETN (38 BIW/QW; 34 QW/QW) and 69 patients were included in the modified intent-to-treat population. At baseline, mean (standard error) target fingernail NAPSI score was 6.0 (0.3) in the BIW/QW group and 5.8 (0.3) in the QW/QW group. At week 24, mean target fingernail NAPSI score had decreased significantly by -4.3 [95% confidence interval (CI) -4.9 to -3.7; P < 0.0001] in the BIW/QW group and by -4.4 (95% CI -5.0 to -3.7; P < 0.0001) in the QW/QW group. Improvement in NAPSI showed significant correlation with Psoriasis Area and Severity Index improvement. ETN was well tolerated with no unexpected safety findings. Both ETN regimens were effective at treating nail psoriasis in this patient population.

TNF-α antagonists and nail psoriasis: an open, 24-week, prospective cohort study in adult patients with psoriasis

Introduction: Treatment of nail psoriasis can be challenging and unsatisfactory. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of three different anti-TNF-α agents on nail psoriasis in patients affected by psoriasis.Materials and methods: Seventy-two patients with nail psoriasis were evaluated in this open, 24 weeks, prospective study. Patients were enrolled in three groups of treatment: adalimumab, etanercept or infliximab. Severity of nail psoriasis was assessed by the Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI) at baseline, week 14, and 24.Results: Sixty patients were included in the study. The mean NAPSI was 33.77. In the adalimumab group, the mean NAPSI score was 33.1 (± 14.9) at baseline, 21 (± 8.91) at week 14 and 11.4 (± 4.6) at week 24 (p < 0.0002). In the etanercept group, the mean NAPSI was 34.8 (± 12.38) at baseline, 23.6 (± 10.43) at week 14, and 10.6 (± 5.25) at week 24 (p < 0.0016). In the infliximab group, the mean NAPSI was 33.3 (± 9.76) at baseline, 14.9 (± 4.20) at week 14 (p < 0.001) and 3.1 (± 3.27) at week 24 (p < 0.00001). At week 14 efficacy was higher in infliximab group compared to adalimumab and etanercept groups (p < 0.05).Conclusions: Among the three agents, in the infliximab group a significant improvement in nail psoriasis was observed as early as week 14 of therapy whereas in the adalimumab and etanercept groups at week 24.

NAPSI utilization as an evaluation method of nail psoriasis in patients using acitretin

assessment instruments of nail psoriasis have been published in literature as means to standardize the previous subjective assessments of authors. Using Nail Psoriasis Severity Index for evaluation in patients with plaque psoriasis during treatment with acitretin. Thirty volunteers with plaque psoriasis were selected for the study. Twenty patients (8 women and 12 men) completed the study. The initial dose of acitretin was 0.3 mg/kg/day for 30 days and was later raised to 0.5 mg/kg/day. Nail Psoriasis Severity Index was collected in the first evaluation, after 2 and 4 months. Nails of both hands were evaluated. nail lesions were present in all patients at first evaluation. The initial Nail Psoriasis Severity Index median was 20 and the final score 20.5 (2.5% of worsening at the end of the study). No statistically significant difference between the three evaluations was found (X2 = 0.8084, GL = 2, p = 0.6657). Seven patients worsened in the final score. Three patients improved 50% of the initial Nail Psoriasis Severity Index and only one had an improvement of 75%. Linear correlation showed a weak association between the improvement percentage in PASI and Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (r = 0.105, F = 2.12, p = 0.162). The method was easy and of rapid execution while potentially bringing information about changes in nail plate and matrix during treatment. The Nail Psoriasis Severity Index does not quantify the existing lesions and might not have the sensitivity to detect small changes.

Recommendations for the treatment of nail psoriasis in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis: a dermatology expert group consensus

Nail involvement is common in psoriasis patients and is often associated with severe disease. Patients with nail psoriasis experience pain, functional impairment and social stigma, with significant restriction of daily activities and quality of life. However, nail psoriasis often goes untreated, as many physicians believe it is difficult to treat, despite the availability of effective treatment options. Clinical data and guidelines for managing and treating psoriasis patients with both skin and nail symptoms are limited. To prepare recommendations for the management and treatment of patients with moderate to severe psoriasis with nail involvement. A collaborative Delphi survey was used to obtain consensus on current practice in the management of nail disease in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis from an expert panel of 11 dermatologists from Europe and Canada with substantial clinical expertise in managing these patients. Agreement was defined utilizing a Likert scale of 1-9. Consensus regarding agreement was an interquartile range (IQR) ≥ 7; consensus regarding disagreement was an IQR ≤ 3. The expert panel addressed several topics including burden of disease, nail assessment, treatment goals and treatment options. The panel agreed that: it is extremely important to assess nail involvement in patients with psoriasis; nail assessments are rarely performed in routine clinical practice; full skin and nail clearance is an achievable goal with appropriate systemic therapy in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis with nail involvement. This article provides useful and practical considerations for the management and treatment of patients with moderate to severe skin and nail psoriasis.

Skin and Nail Responses after 1 Year of Infliximab Therapy in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Psoriasis: A Retrospective Analysis of the EXPRESS Trial

Background: The EXPRESS study demonstrated the initial efficacy of infliximab in psoriasis affecting the skin and nails. Objective: To further assess how patients with a positive initial response to infliximab respond to 1 year of continuous infliximab treatment. Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients with moderate-to-severe plaque and nail psoriasis who initiated and continued infliximab treatment up to week 46 was conducted. Results: Among all nail psoriasis patients receiving 1 year of infliximab (n = 186), 74.6 and 54.1% achieved at least 75 or 90% improvement in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) at week 50. These PASI-75 (n = 138) and PASI-90 (n = 100) responders had respective mean improvements from baseline to week 50 of 93.6 and 97.3% for the PASI, 90.6 and 94.1% for the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and 78.2 and 80.3% for the Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI). Conclusions: Infliximab treatment for 1 year produced sustained improvement in PASI, DLQI and NAPSI scores.