The impact of fingernail psoriasis on patients' health-related and disease-specific quality of life.

BACKGROUND

The impact of various dermatological conditions on quality of life (QoL) has been extensively studied, however the impact of nail psoriasis on QoL is an underexplored area.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the impact of fingernail psoriasis on patients' QoL.

METHODS

A cross-sectional observational study using validated questionnaires concerning QoL (SF-36, modified onychomycosis questionnaire) was performed in 49 patients with fingernail psoriasis.

RESULTS

The mean SF-36 scores for fingernail psoriasis patients were comparable to the mean scores of the Dutch reference population. However, mean scores on the modified onychomycosis QoL questionnaire for all domains were reduced. Localisation, gender and duration of nail psoriasis influenced the impact of nail psoriasis on patients' QoL.

CONCLUSION

Fingernail psoriasis can interfere with patients' social, mental and physical well-being. Assessing patients' QoL in daily practice offers the opportunity of a patient-centred approach to treatment.