Validation of the Onychomycosis Severity Index in a Brazilian population.

Onychomycosis is the most frequent nail disorder, but unfortunately, curative treatment is still a challenge, and commonly the infection recurs. A widely disseminated system to accurately assess and classify the severity of this disease, such as the MASI score for melasma or PASI for psoriasis, is lacking in the literature. In 2011, Carney et al. established and successfully validated the Onychomycosis Severity Index (OSI), proving it to be a simple and reproducible tool. To validate the Onychomycosis Severity Index in a Brazilian population. Four experienced dermatologists were taught how to use the OSI system, and then evaluated photographs of 24 nails. There was no consultation between the dermatologists, and the results were evaluated by an impartial third party. A statistically significant (p<0.001) high degree of agreement was observed between the evaluators and overall OSI score (mild, moderate or severe) as well as its subcategories (area of involvement, proximity to the nail matrix and presence of dermatophytoma or hyperkeratosis). OSI is a very useful tool to improve the clinical assessment of onychomycosis and support clinical trial inclusion criteria (p<0.001). It also provides important prognostic data and allows for a better follow-up of treatment efficacy.

Effect of the Intralesional Forms of Methylprednisolone Acetate and Methotrexate on Psoriatic Nails.

Individuals with psoriatic nails often have a lower quality of life relative to their counterparts with healthy nails. Methotrexate (MTX), an anti-neoplastic agent, is a longstanding treatment option for nail psoriasis. In the current study, we compared the effects of MTX to that of a corticosteroid, namely, methylprednisolone acetate (i.e., Depo-Medrol®) across individuals with nail psoriasis. We used a cohort study design, and both agents were administered intralesionally. Outcome variables were based on the Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI). We quantified the effect in terms of change in NAPSI, complete cure at week 16, and cure between 32 and 36 weeks. Our regressions demonstrated that reduced NAPSI scores with Depo-Medrol were, on average, greater than that with MTX by 2.27 (n = 48, P = 0.000255) at week 16. Similarly, the odds of complete cure at week 16 was greater with Depo-Medrol® than with MTX (odds ratio = 18.6, P < 0.0001). In terms of both complete cure and change in NAPSI, Depo-Medrol® was significantly more effective than MTX at a follow-up period of 32-36 weeks. Our study established that intralesional Depo-Medrol® is more effective than intralesional methotrexate for treating nail psoriasis.

Características clínicas e histopatológicas de melanoma subungueal en 57 pacientes mexicanos: una cohorte de 5 años / Clinical and Histopathologic Features of Subungual Melanoma in 57 Mexican Patients: A 5-Year Cohort Study

El melanoma subungueal es un tumor poco común, con peor pronóstico comparado con los de otras localizaciones. Corresponde al 1-23% de los melanomas, según la población. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir las características clínicas e histopatológicas del melanoma subungueal en la población mexicana. Se incluyeron 57 pacientes con melanoma subungueal (19% de los 303 melanomas totales), con una mediana de edad de 71 años. La localización predominante fueron los miembros inferiores (52,6% de los melanomas subungueales) y el primer dedo (75,4% de los casos). El subtipo histológico más frecuente fue el acral lentiginoso (50,9%). La mediana de Breslow fue de 3mm. El estadio IA fue el más frecuente (28,1%). Se encontró una tasa de recurrencia del 19,3% y de metástasis del 8,8%. Las características clínico-patológicas fueron semejantes a lo descrito en la literatura. Es importante realizar un diagnóstico y tratamiento tempranos de cara a mejorar su pronóstico.(AU)

Although subungual melanoma is uncommon, it is associated with worse outcomes than melanomas in other locations and accounts for 1% to 23% of all melanomas, depending on the population. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and histopathologic features of subungual melanoma in a Mexican population. We identified 303 patients with melanoma, and of these, 19% (57 patients with a median age of 71 years) had subungual melanoma. The main sites affected were the lower limbs (52.6%) and the toe (75.4%). The most common histologic subtype was acral lentiginous melanoma (50.9%). Median Breslow thickness was 3 mm, and stage IA tumors were the most common (in 28.1% of patients). Recurrence and metastasis occurred in 19.3% and 8.8% of patients, respectively. The clinical and histopathologic features identified are similar to those described in the literature. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for improving prognosis.(AU)

[Translated article] Clinical and Histopathologic Features of Subungual Melanoma in 57 Mexican Patients: A 5-Year Cohort Study / Características clínicas e histopatológicas de melanoma subungueal en 57 pacientes mexicanos: una cohorte de 5 años

El melanoma subungueal es un tumor poco común, con peor pronóstico comparado con los de otras localizaciones. Corresponde al 1-23% de los melanomas, según la población. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir las características clínicas e histopatológicas del melanoma subungueal en la población mexicana. Se incluyeron 57 pacientes con melanoma subungueal (19% de los 303 melanomas totales), con una mediana de edad de 71 años. La localización predominante fueron los miembros inferiores (52,6% de los melanomas subungueales) y el primer dedo (75,4% de los casos). El subtipo histológico más frecuente fue el acral lentiginoso (50,9%). La mediana de Breslow fue de 3mm. El estadio IA fue el más frecuente (28,1%). Se encontró una tasa de recurrencia del 19,3% y de metástasis del 8,8%. Las características clínico-patológicas fueron semejantes a lo descrito en la literatura. Es importante realizar un diagnóstico y tratamiento tempranos de cara a mejorar su pronóstico.(AU)

Although subungual melanoma is uncommon, it is associated with worse outcomes than melanomas in other locations and accounts for 1% to 23% of all melanomas, depending on the population. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and histopathologic features of subungual melanoma in a Mexican population. We identified 303 patients with melanoma, and of these, 19% (57 patients with a median age of 71 years) had subungual melanoma. The main sites affected were the lower limbs (52.6%) and the toe (75.4%). The most common histologic subtype was acral lentiginous melanoma (50.9%). Median Breslow thickness was 3 mm, and stage IA tumors were the most common (in 28.1% of patients). Recurrence and metastasis occurred in 19.3% and 8.8% of patients, respectively. The clinical and histopathologic features identified are similar to those described in the literature. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for improving prognosis.(AU)

Effectiveness and safety of oral terbinafine for dermatophyte distal subungual onychomycosis.

INTRODUCTION: Terbinafine has been a cornerstone in dermatophyte infection treatment. Despite its global efficacy, the emergence of terbinafine resistance raises concerns, requiring ongoing vigilance. AREAS COVERED: This paper focuses on evaluating the efficacy and safety of terbinafine in treating dermatophyte toenail infections. Continuous and pulse therapies, with a 24-week continuous regimen and a higher dosage of 500 mg/day have demonstrated superior efficacy to the FDA approved regimen of 250 mg/day x 12 weeks. Pulse therapies, though showing comparable effectiveness, present debates with regards to their efficacy as conflicting findings have been reported. Safety concerns encompass hepatotoxicity, gastrointestinal, cutaneous, neurologic, hematologic and immune adverse-effects, and possible drug interactions, suggesting the need for ongoing monitoring. EXPERT OPINION: Terbinafine efficacy depends on dosage, duration, and resistance patterns. Continuous therapy for 24 weeks and a dosage of 500 mg/day may enhance outcomes, but safety considerations and resistance necessitate individualized approaches. Alternatives, including topical agents and alternative antifungals, are to be considered for resistant cases. Understanding the interplay between treatment parameters, adverse effects, and resistance mechanisms is critical for optimizing therapeutic efficacy while mitigating resistance risks. Patient education and adherence are vital for early detection and management of adverse effects and resistance, contributing to tailored and effective treatments.

A focused review on laser- and energy-assisted drug delivery for nail disorders.

The purpose of this review is to consolidate and summarize laser-assisted drug delivery (LADD) for nail diseases, particularly onychomycosis and psoriasis. A PubMed search was conducted in June 2023 using search terms (1) "laser assisted drug delivery" AND "nail," (2) "laser" AND "nail," and (3) "nail disorder" AND "laser treatment." References of papers were also reviewed, yielding 15 papers for this review. Fractional ablative CO2 laser (FACL) and Er:YAG laser can be used for LADD of topical medications such as amorolfine, terbinafine, and tioconazole to treat onychomycosis. A fungal culture should be performed to determine the type of dermatophyte, which will help determine which topical will be most effective. Laser settings varied between studies, but overall LADD tended to be more effective than topical treatments alone. Laser-assisted photodynamic therapy (PDT) was also found to be effective in treating onychomycosis. For psoriatic nails, LADD was used to deliver calcipotriol-betamethasone dipropionate foam, tazarotene, triamcinolone, or methotrexate into the nail. Again, LADD was found to be significantly more effective than topical treatment alone. FACL was the only laser noted for use for LADD in both diseases. Laser-assisted drug delivery for nail disease is a newer approach for onychomycosis and nail psoriasis with several benefits and drawbacks. Dermatologists should discuss the option of LADD with their patients who have recalcitrant onychomycosis or nail psoriasis.

Nail psoriasis and nail lichen planus: Updates on diagnosis and management.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory diseases of the nail, including nail psoriasis and nail lichen planus, are associated with significant disease burden and have a negative impact on quality of life. Diagnosis is often delayed, especially when patients present without cutaneous findings. Therefore, recognizing clinical signs and symptoms of inflammatory nail diseases, and initiating timely and appropriate treatment, is of utmost importance. OBJECTIVE: We review recent studies on diagnostic techniques, discuss severity grading and scoring systems, and describe consensus treatment recommendations for nail psoriasis and nail lichen planus. METHODS: An updated literature review was performed using the PubMed database on studies assessing diagnostic techniques or treatment modalities for nail psoriasis and nail lichen planus. RESULTS: Recent studies on diagnostic techniques for inflammatory nail disease have focused on use of dermoscopy, capillaroscopy, and ultrasound modalities. Treatment of these conditions is dichotomized into involvement of few (≤3) or many (>3) nails. Recent psoriatic therapeutics studied for nail outcomes include brodalumab, tildrakizumab, risankizumab, deucravacitinib, and bimekizumab, while emerging treatments for nail lichen planus include JAK inhibitors and intralesional platelet rich plasma injections. CONCLUSIONS: We emphasize the need for increased awareness and expanded management strategies for inflammatory nail diseases to improve patient outcomes.

Network meta-analyses comparing the efficacy of biologic treatments for achieving complete resolution of nail psoriasis at 24-28 and 48-52 weeks.

BACKGROUND: Available network meta-analyses (NMAs) comparing the efficacy of biologics in nail psoriasis (NP) have not included recently approved biologics such as bimekizumab nor have they provided comparisons up to 1 year. OBJECTIVE: We conducted two NMAs that update and extend results from a previous NMA comparing biologics for achieving complete resolution of NP. METHODS: Bayesian NMAs were performed using a generalized linear model with a logit link to model the binary outcome of nail clearance at weeks 24-28 and 48-52. RESULTS: For the NMA at weeks 24-28, which included seven biologics and placebo, the absolute probability of achieving complete resolution of NP was highest for ixekizumab (46.4%; 95% credibility interval [CrI] 35.2-58.0), followed by brodalumab (37.1%; 95% CrI 17.1-62.2) and bimekizumab (30.3%; 95% CrI 12.7-53.9). For the NMA at weeks 48-52, which included six biologics, the absolute probability was highest for ixekizumab (77.2%; 95% CrI 51.1-93.4), followed by adalimumab (75.6%; 95% CrI 61.5-87.3) and brodalumab (71.9%; 95% CrI 38.4-93.2). CONCLUSION: Among biologics included in these two NMAs, ixekizumab has the highest absolute probability of achieving complete resolution of NP. Results may help to inform treatment decisions for patients with NP.

Onychomycosis Treatment Prescribed at Only Twenty Percent of Visits: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey 2007 to 2016.

BACKGROUND: Onychomycosis represents the highest proportion of nail disorders seen in clinical practice. Onychomycosis management may differ amongst specialties, with impact on patient outcomes and quality of life (QoL). OBJECTIVE: We aimed to characterize onychomycosis treatment across specialties, accounting for patient demographics, to assess for potential onychomycosis practice gaps. MATERIALS/METHODS: We conducted a population based cross-sectional analysis using the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) 2007 to 2016 (the most recent years available). RESULTS: Overall, 71.6% of onychomycosis visits were with general practitioners (GPs), 25.8% with dermatologists, and 2.58% with pediatricians. No onychomycosis treatment was prescribed at 82.0% of dermatology visits and 78.9% of GP visits. Dermatologists (Odds Ratio (OR):2.27 [95% Confidence Interval (CI):[2.14-2.41]; P<0.0001) and GPs (OR:2.32 [2.21-2.44]; P<0.0001) were more likely than pediatricians to prescribe treatment vs no treatment. Dermatologists were more likely than GPs to prescribe both no treatment vs treatment and topical vs oral antifungals (OR:1.33 [1.16-1.52]; P<0.0001 and OR:4.20 [3.80-4.65]; P<0.0001), respectively. DISCUSSION: Our study showed that there is a low treatment rate for onychomycosis, with treatment prescribed at only 20% of visits. Untreated onychomycosis might result in secondary infection, pain, and negative QoL impact.1 Although dermatologists are specialists in nail disease management, they saw only about 25% of onychomycosis visits. Future efforts should be directed towards promoting onychomycosis therapy, and educating both patients and referring physicians that dermatologists are primary resources for nail disorder treatment.J Drugs Dermatol. 2023;22(10):1040-1045 doi:10.36849/JDD.6770.

Contemporary Techniques and Potential Transungual Drug Delivery Nanosystems for The Treatment of Onychomycosis.

The humanoid nail is considered an exceptional protective barrier that is formed mainly from keratin. Onychomycosis is the cause of 50% of nail infections that is generally caused by dermatophytes. Firstly, the infection was regarded as a cosmetic problem but because of the tenacious nature of onychomycosis and its relapses, these infections have attracted medical attention. The first line of therapy was the oral antifungal agents which were proven to be effective; nevertheless, they exhibited hepato-toxic side effects, alongside drug interactions. Following, the opportunity was shifted to the topical remedies, as onychomycosis is rather superficial, yet this route is hindered by the keratinized layers in the nail plate. A potential alternative to overcome the obstacle was applying different mechanical, physical, and chemical methods to boost the penetration of drugs through the nail plate. Unfortunately, these methods might be expensive, require an expert to be completed, or even be followed by pain or more serious side effects. Furthermore, topical formulations such as nail lacquers and patches do not provide enough sustaining effects. Recently, newer therapies such as nanovesicles, nanoparticles, and nanoemulsions have emerged for the treatment of onychomycosis that provided effective treatment with possibly no side effects. This review states the treatment strategies such as mechanical, physical, and chemical methods, and highlights various innovative dosage forms and nanosystems developed in the last 10 years with a focus on advanced findings regarding formulation systems. Furthermore, it demonstrates the natural bioactives and their formulation as nanosystems, and the most relevant clinical outcomes.

Polyurethane Tubing to Minimize Pain During Nail Injections.

Nail matrix and nail bed injections are painful and can cause considerable patient anxiety. Because most patients receive injections in both hands, some methods to decrease periprocedural anxiety, such as squeezing a stress ball, cannot be utilized. Clenching a length of polyurethane tubing with the teeth during nail injections is a safe and cost-effective strategy that may decrease anxiety and increase the likelihood that patients will return for follow-up injections, thereby leading to better clinical outcomes.

Efficacy of guselkumab in difficult-to-treat psoriasis regions: Data from VOYAGE 1 and VOYAGE 2 Asian subpopulations.

Patients with psoriasis were randomized to guselkumab, placebo or adalimumab in the VOYAGE 1 and VOYAGE 2 studies. In this post hoc analysis, difficult-to-treat psoriasis regions in the Asian subpopulation for both the guselkumab and adalimumab groups were compared with placebo at week 16 and the active treatment groups were compared at week 24. Endpoints included patients achieving scores of 0 or 1 (clear or near clear) or 0 (clear) on the scalp-specific Investigator's Global Assessment (ss-IGA), Physician's Global Assessment of the hands and/or feet (hf-PGA), and fingernail PGA (f-PGA), and percentage improvement in target Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI) score through week 24. Efficacy was also assessed by prior biologic experience at baseline. A total of 199 eligible Asian patients were included. The proportion of patients achieving "clear" or "near clear" with guselkumab was superior to adalimumab at week 24 for scalp psoriasis ss-IGA (Asian patients, 72 [85.7%] vs 35 [67.3%], P = 0.004), hands and/or feet psoriasis hf-PGA (29 [82.9%] vs 16 [61.5%], P = 0.054), and similar for fingernail psoriasis f-PGA (28 [63.6%] vs 17 [54.8%], P = 0.412). Guselkumab mean improvements in NAPSI were comparable to adalimumab (39.9% vs 35.9%, P = 0.618). Overall, the complete clearance response of scalp, and hands and/or feet at week 24 occurred in a greater proportion of patients in the guselkumab group, irrespective of baseline biologic status (treatment-naïve or treatment-experienced). Guselkumab was superior to adalimumab for the treatment of scalp, and hands and/or feet psoriasis, and proportionally higher for fingernail psoriasis. Findings were comparable to the global study population.

Intralesional steroid injections for inflammatory nail dystrophies in the pediatric population.

Intralesional injections of triamcinolone acetonide are widely used to successfully treat several inflammatory nail conditions. This procedure is well described in adults, but less frequently reported in children and teenagers, being largely considered too invasive and fear-provoking for pediatric patients. Our report shows how this procedure is feasible and successful in children, even without a digital block. The step-by-step technique and tips to reduce pain should encourage clinicians to offer it as an alternative option to children with inflammatory nail disorders.