Variables studied
|
Brittle nail(n=68)
|
Non brittle nail (n=70)
|
Odds ratio (confidence interval 95%)
|
p
|
|
Demographic Characteristics
|
Current age
|
|
36.5 (24.0-45.0) |
|
36.5 (26.0-46.0) |
|
- |
0.56 |
Color / race |
White |
|
79.41% |
|
82.86% |
|
Reference |
- |
|
Black
|
|
8.82% |
|
1.43% |
|
6.44 (0.75 to 55.28) |
0.11 |
|
Mixed
|
|
11.76% |
|
7.14% |
|
1.72 (0.53 to 5.58) |
0.40 |
|
Oriental
|
|
0.00% |
|
8.57% |
|
-
|
0.03 |
|
Clinical characteristics and morbid antecedents
|
History of atopic dermatitis
|
|
11.76% |
|
4.29% |
|
2.98 (0.76 to 11.74) |
0.13 |
History of allergic rhinitis
|
|
33.82% |
|
20.00% |
|
2.04 (0.95 to 4.42) |
0.07 |
History of asthma
|
|
10.29% |
|
0.00% |
|
- |
0.01 |
History of atopy
|
|
41.18% |
|
18.57% |
|
3.07 (1.42 to 6.64) |
<0.01 |
History of anemia
|
|
11.76% |
|
5.71% |
|
2.20 (0.63 to 7.68) |
0.24 |
Previous diagnosis of diabetes mellitus
|
|
2.94% |
|
2.86% |
|
1.03 (0.14 to 7.53) |
0.99 |
Previous diagnosis of hypothyroidism
|
|
7.35% |
|
8.57% |
|
0.85 (0.25 to 2.92) |
0.99 |
Hair loss complaint
|
|
38.24% |
|
32.86% |
|
1.27 (0.63 to 2.54) |
0.51 |
Use if hormonal contraceptive
|
|
30.88% |
|
47.14% |
|
0.50 (0.25 to 1.01) |
0.05 |
Smoking habit
|
|
16.18% |
|
8.57% |
|
2.06 (0.72 to 5.92) |
0.20 |
|
Habits and personal hygiene
|
Practice of regular physical exercise
|
|
26.47% |
|
31.43% |
|
0.79 (0.38 to 1.64) |
0.52 |
Daily work with water*** |
|
30.88% |
|
15.71% |
|
2.40 (1.05 to 5.46) |
0.03 |
Daily contact with cleaning products
|
|
33.82% |
|
20.00% |
|
2.04 (0.95 to 4.42) |
0.07 |
Housework that may traumatize nails
|
|
61.76% |
|
50.00% |
|
1.62 (0.82 to 3.18) |
0.16 |
Has 3 or more meals per day
|
|
65.67% |
|
60.29% |
|
1.26 (0.63 to 2.54) |
0.52 |
Eats 6 or more portions of fruit or vegetables per day
|
|
16.18% |
|
15.71% |
|
1.04 (0.42 to 2.58) |
0.98 |
Eats dairy foods 3 or more times a day
|
|
20.59% |
|
24.64% |
|
0.79 (0,36 to 1.77) |
0.57 |
Eats meat more than 4 days per week
|
|
77.94% |
|
81.16% |
|
0.82 (0.36 to 1.89) |
0.64 |
Daily liquid intake (liters)
|
|
1.1 (0.6-2.0) |
|
2.0 (1.0-2.0) |
|
- |
0.06 |
Body mass index
|
|
24.0 (22.0-28.0) |
|
24.0 (21.0-29.0) |
|
-
|
0.85 |
How many times a day wets and dries hands
|
|
15.0 (10.0-20.0) |
|
15.0 (10.0-20.0) |
|
- |
0.74 |
How many times a day washes hands with soap
|
|
10.0 (10.0-20.0) |
|
10.0 (10.0-20.0) |
|
- |
0.85 |
Applies alcohol on hands more than twice a day
|
|
32.35% |
|
44.29% |
|
0.60 (0.30 to 1.20) |
0.15 |
First degree family members who have brittle nails
|
|
39.71% |
|
18.57% |
|
2.89 (1.33 to 6.26) |
0.01 |
Refers difficulty in keeping nails long
|
|
69.12% |
|
20.00% |
|
8.95 (4.11 to 19.52) |
<0.01 |
Refers slow nail growth
|
|
45.59% |
|
15.71% |
|
4.49 (2.02 to 10.01) |
<0.01 |
Has a manicure more that twice a month
|
|
42.65% |
|
47.14% |
|
0.83 (0.43 to 1.63) |
0.60 |
Removes cuticles more that twice a month
|
|
25.00% |
|
44.29% |
|
0.42 (0.20 to 0.86) |
0.02 |
Bites nails regularly
|
|
17.65% |
|
7.14% |
|
2.79 (0.92 to 8.39) |
0.07 |
|
Findings at nail examination
|
|
|
|
Normal nails
|
|
20.59% |
|
64.29% |
|
0.14 (0.07 to 0.31) |
<0.01 |
Onychoschizia
|
|
66.18% |
|
25.71% |
|
5.65 (2.71 to 11.78) |
<0.01 |
Horizontal distal fissure of nail plate
|
|
26.47% |
|
10.00% |
|
3.24 (1.25 to 8.37) |
0.01 |
Longitudinal pits and ridges
|
|
14.71% |
|
10.00% |
|
1.55 (0.55 to 4.34) |
0.45 |
Onychorrhexis
|
|
20.59% |
|
1.43% |
|
17.89 (2.28 to 140.33) |
<0.01 |
Alteration in nail thickness
|
|
16.18% |
|
4.29% |
|
4.31 (1.15 to 16.21) |
0.02 |
|
Questions on mood
|
|
|
|
Feels nervous most days
|
|
47.06% |
|
35.71% |
|
1.60 (0.81 to 3.17) |
0.18 |
Feels worried most days
|
|
36.76% |
|
30.00% |
|
1.36 (0.67 to 2.76) |
0.40 |
Feels depressed most days
|
|
27.94% |
|
8.57% |
|
4.14 (1.54 to 11.14) |
<0.01 |
Diminished interest in routine activities most days
|
|
23.53% |
|
10% |
|
2.77 (1.06 to 7.24) |
0.04 |
Answers compatible with depressed mood
|
|
41.18% |
|
22.86% |
|
2.36 (1.13 to 4.94) |
0.02 |