DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2016.v04i12.041

Pages: 4394-4400

Various physiological and disease associated changes and disorders are seen in the aging nail. Nails growth rate is slow among elders. Additionally, as age advances; nail plate appears pale, dull & opaque. Symptoms, signs and treatment options of these changes and disorders in the elderly will enable better assessment and management of disorders, in particular, various degenerative and onychologic concerns. 200 Patients aged 60 years or more, of both sexes, with nail changes are included, detailed clinical history regarding onset, duration and associated symptoms were analyzed. 200 patients aged 60 years & above were enrolled in study, majority of them 169 (84.5%) belonged to the age group of 61-70 years. Male: female was 3:2. The common occupation was agriculture workers 86 (43%), 138 (69%) were from rural background. Dull and opaque nails (188/200) were noted commonly. This study showed that the evaluation of nails is an important, as nail changes may reveal the clue and at times may lead to the diagnosis of the hidden internal systemic disorder. Thus nails are considered as the markers or windows for a wide range of systemic disorders.