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Original Article
2003:69:2;79-80
PMID: 17642838

Ladakhi koilonychia

MP Sawhney
 Dept. of Dermatology & STD, Command Hospital, Pune - 411 040, India

Correspondence Address:
M P Sawhney
Dept. of Dermatology & STD, Command Hospital, Pune - 411 040
India
How to cite this article:
Sawhney M P. Ladakhi koilonychia. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2003;69:79-80
Copyright: (C)2003 Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology

Abstract

Atotal of 176 highlander Ladakhis staying at an altitude of 3445 meters were examined for nail changes. Mean age of the subjects was 22.28 years (range 3-58 years). Koilonychia was seen in 47.16% of the subjects. It was most common during fourth (80.56%) and fifth (80%) decade. Males (49.60%) were slightly more commonly affected than females (41.34%). Soldiers (69.57%) were most commonly affected. Peasant and labourers (64.26%) were also equally affected. Most of the soldiers were also involved in forming during their leave period. Recruits (39.29%) and students (30.30%) were less commonly affected. Right index finger (36.36%), right middle finger (30.68%) and right thumb (29.55%) finger nails were most commonly affected followed by left thumb (13.64%), left index finger (10.23%), right ring finger (8.52%) and left middle finger nails (7.95%). Mean haemoglobin levels in those with or without koilonychia were 14.17 and 14.12 gm % respectively. Chronic hypoxia of high of high altitude causing increased erythropoesis and depletion of iron stores leads to thinning of nail plate and atrophy of the distal nail bed with superadded mechar.ical trauma of farming or hard labour is the most likely cause of Ladakhi koilonychia. Dietary iron supplementation as a public health programme should be started in Ladakh to meet the demands of increased erythropoesis in chronic hypoxic conditions.
Keywords: Koilonychia, Nails, High altitude

Introduction

A high prevalence of koilonychia has been reported in Ladakhis living in high altitude (3500 meter) by Anand and Harris[1] and Dolma et al.[2] Two groups of authors came to different conclusion as to the aetiology of the disability. They had also made observation on a small group of selected population. This prompted us to undertake a study of Ladakhit koilonychia in a bigger population with varied occupations

Material and Method

A total of 176 healthy highlander Ladakhis were examined for presence of koilonychia. Reading was taken for all of the 10 fingernails separately. Haemoglobin was also tested for all of them.

Results

The mean age of the subjects was 22.28 years (range 3- 58 years). 125 (71.02%) were males and 52 (28.98%) were females. A total of 83 (47.16%) of the subjects had koilonychia of varying degrees affecting one or more fingernails The frequency of involvement of various nails it as shown [Table - 1]. Mean haemoglobin levels it subjects with or without koilonychia was 14.17 gm and 14.12gm % respectively.

Relationship between age and frequency of koilonychia is as shown in Table II. Koilonychia was seen in 62 (49.60%) males and in 21 (41.34%) females.

Correlation between various occupations and prevalence of koilonychia is as shown in Table III. Miscellaneous group consisted of 3 housewives, 2 preschool children and one each of clerk, teacher, and shopkeeper, none of them being involved in physical labour. Most of the Ladakhi soldiers were also involved in farming during their leave.

Discussion

Hypochromic iron deficiency anaemia is the most well known cause of koilonychia.[3] In our study there was no significant difference in haemoglobin levels in those with or without koilonychia as was seen by Anand and Harris.[1] Annad and Harris[1] had also concluded that the tendency to koilonychia is a racial characteristic in Ladakhis. In contrast Dolma et al opined that koilonychia is much more common in women (23 out of 26 with koilonychia being women), it is seasonal, seen during summer months and is due to high silica content and alkalinity of the soil in which these women work. The prevalence of koilonychia seen by Dolma et al[2] was only 16.82% in contrast to 47.16% seen by us. The disability has been seen slightly more commonly in males by us, in contrast to the observations made by Dolma et al.[2] Koilonychia has been seen most commonly amongst soldiers, peasants and labourers i.e. those involved in hard manual labour and was less common in housewives, students and recruits. It is again most commonly seen during fourth and fifth decade i.e. after many years of exposure to chronic hypoxia superadded with mechanical trauma.

Nails of right thumb, index finger and middle finger followed by the same nails of left hand in that order are the most commonly affected nails, as is seen in iron deficiency anaemia.[1] This again suggests the role of trauma in right handed individuals. Chronic hypoxia of high altitude causes increased erythropoesis, depletion of iron stores and thinning of the nail plate.[4] Koilonychia develops because of depressed distal end of nail bed due to anoxia causing atrophy of the distal connective tissue.[3]The contention of Anand and Harris[1] that altitude did not seem to be factor is not true. The lowlanders serving in high altitude even for prolonged periods as mentioned visit their hometowns in lower altitudes at least twice in a year. This will reverse the physiological changes brought about by chronic hypoxia. Further the local population being Buddhist, are pure vegetarians and their diet is a poor source of iron. No green leafy vegetables are available for nine months in a year. The low iron content in their food is thus unable to meet the excess demand of increased erythropoesis in chronic hypoxic conditions. Hence this high prevalence of koilonychia in Ladakh should be considered a public health problem and adequate dietary iron supplementation should be started.

References
1.
Koilonychia in Ladakhis. Br J Dermatol. 1988; 119: 267-268.
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2.
Dolma T, Narboo T, Yayha M, et al. Seasonal koilonychia in Ladakh. Contact Dermatitis 1990;22: 78-80.
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Samman PD. Nail disorders attributed to or associated with other general medical conditions, In: The Nails in Disease, Edited by Somman PD, V ed, William Heinemann Medical Books Ltd, London, 1978; 111-125.
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Comaish JS. Diseases of nails. New Castle Med J. 1965; 28: 253.
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