Back to all available

Nail structural alterations and zinc levels in the elderly: an observational cross-sectional study

dermatology
geriatrics
global-health

Abstract

Background. Nails in the elderly undergo several structural changes related to aging with respect to surface, thickness, color, and growth pattern. The present study explores the potential association between nail alterations and zinc levels in this population.

Methods. A total of 64 subjects aged ≥60 years with or without nail changes were recruited from the Dermatology and Venereology Outpatient Clinic at Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia. Their nail features were observed clinically and evaluated utilizing dermoscopy, and nail clippings weighing a total of 200 milligrams were collected from each subject for nail zinc concentration measurement. Appropriate statistical tests were employed to determine the relationship between nail zinc levels and the structural alterations, as well as the patients’ comorbidities and medications, at a significance level of 0.05.

Results. Most subjects in our cohort showed altered nail profiles in multiple digits (75.0%) with a predilection for toenails (62.3%), and the first toenail was primarily affected. The commonest dermoscopic features displayed in altered nails include nail plate pigmentation (n = 64), distal edge thickening (n =39), and surface changes (n = 34). The average nail zinc concentration was lower in the elderly with nail changes than in those without, albeit with no statistically significant differences (p = 0.687). Subgroup analyses according to comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, and dyslipidemia) and medications (antihypertensives, antidiabetics, antidyslipidemic drugs, and anticonvulsants) also exhibited no discrepancies.

Conclusions. This study highlights the complex interactions among nail structural changes, zinc levels, comorbidities, and medications; hence, further research is warranted to obtain a deeper understanding.

Ask to review this manuscript

Notes for potential reviewers

  • Volunteering is not a guarantee that you will be asked to review. There are many reasons: reviewers must be qualified, there should be no conflicts of interest, a minimum of two reviewers have already accepted an invitation, etc.
  • This is NOT OPEN peer review. The review is single-blind, and all recommendations are sent privately to the Academic Editor handling the manuscript. All reviews are published and reviewers can choose to sign their reviews.
  • What happens after volunteering? It may be a few days before you receive an invitation to review with further instructions. You will need to accept the invitation to then become an official referee for the manuscript. If you do not receive an invitation it is for one of many possible reasons as noted above.
  • PeerJ does not judge submissions based on subjective measures such as novelty, impact or degree of advance. Effectively, reviewers are asked to comment on whether or not the submission is scientifically and technically sound and therefore deserves to join the scientific literature. Our Peer Review criteria can be found on the "Editorial Criteria" page - reviewers are specifically asked to comment on 3 broad areas: "Basic Reporting", "Experimental Design" and "Validity of the Findings".
  • Reviewers are expected to comment in a timely, professional, and constructive manner.
  • Until the article is published, reviewers must regard all information relating to the submission as strictly confidential.
  • When submitting a review, reviewers are given the option to "sign" their review (i.e. to associate their name with their comments). Otherwise, all review comments remain anonymous.
  • All reviews of published articles are published. This includes manuscript files, peer review comments, author rebuttals and revised materials.
  • Each time a decision is made by the Academic Editor, each reviewer will receive a copy of the Decision Letter (which will include the comments of all reviewers).

If you have any questions about submitting your review, please email us at [email protected].