Nail changes in chronic kidney disease: A cross-sectional study

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a multitude of symptoms and signs, some being specific to kidney diseases, while some are not. It is associated with many nail changes such as half-and-half nails, absent lunula, koilonychia, melanonychia, etc. Objectives: This study was carried out to study the pattern of nail changes in patients with CKD and to observe correlation with its severity, if any. Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted between March 2023 and September 2024. A total of 103 patients diagnosed with chronic kidney disease aged 18 years and above were recruited. Post-renal transplant and chronic liver disease patients were excluded. Various laboratory parameters were assessed and compared. Results: Fifty-eight patients (56. 31%) had nail changes, most common being half-and-half nails in 23 patients (22.3%), followed by absent lunula (15.3%), koilonychia in 15 (14.5%), subungual hyperkeratosis in 8 (7.7%) and onycholysis in 6 (5.8%). Six patients each had onychomycosis and Beau’s lines (5.8%). Nail changes were more predominant in Stage 5 disease. Conclusion: Patients with CKD have nail changes, whose early detection can help in the recognition of possible renal insufficiency.