CHICAGO — Triamcinolone acetonide 10 mg/mL is the best dose for psoriatic fingernails dystrophy, according to a randomized, dose-comparison study.
The 90 psoriatic fingernails included in the study were divided into three groups of 30 and treated with an intramatrix injection of triamcinolone acetonide 2.5 mg/mL (group A), 5 mg/mL (group B), or 10 mg/mL (group C), reported Dr. Savreet Kaur and Dr. Karan Jit Pal Singh Puri. Treatment was repeated at 6 and 12 weeks. Assessment was done using the Nail Psoriasis Severity Index, with a grade IV change defined as more than a 75% improvement.
The study included 32 patients (aged 17–62 years). At 6 months, a grade IV improvement was observed in group A, B, and C in pitting in 27%, 78.5%, and 83% of nails, respectively; onycholysis (12.5%, 46%, and 53%); subungual hyperkeratosis (36%, 33%, and 59%); discoloration (33%, 44%, and 71%); and crumbling (0%, 50%, and 92%), the researchers noted in a poster at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology's Academy.
Dr. Kaur is at the Civil Hospital Khanna, in Punjab, India, and Dr. Puri is head of the department of dermatology, venereology, and leprosy at the Government Medical College, in Amritsar, India. They reported no conflicts of interest.