Onychophagia as a clinical symptom: A pilot study of physicians and literature review.
Sci Prog
; 104(4): 368504211050288, 2021 10.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34874802
ABSTRACT
Although onychophagia is a medical condition and is associated with poorer health, there are no guidelines for assessment or treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical aspects of nail biting from doctors' points of view, to estimate the prevalence of onychophagia among physicians, and to review the literature on and treatment methods for onychophagia. Twenty-four percent of doctors reported nail-biting periods during their lifetimes, and 2% of them remained active nail biters. A total of 64.4% of doctors see nail biting in their practices, and 60.6% never or only on request ask patients about nail biting and examine their nails. Family doctors and pediatricians ask their patients about nail biting most often. Attitudes and opinions on the treatment of nail biting are undefined and vary. Doctors reported usually treating nail-biting patients by referring them to another specialist or offering special nail polish. There is a need to improve physicians' knowledge of nail-biting treatment methods, but a lack of studies evaluating the clinical aspects of onychophagia and its relation to mental health and emotion dysregulation. Further research is needed. Clinical attitudes toward nail biting could be more precise in training and medical practice.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Médicos
/
Hábito de Comerse las Uñas
Tipo de estudio:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Guideline
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Sci Prog
Año:
2021
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Lituania