Response to treatment with artificial foil in patients with a diagnosis of pincer nail

Objective: To evaluate the effects of treatment with artificial nail plate and the level of satisfaction in patients with a diagnosis of claw nail treated in two dermatological reference centers between 2016 and 2020. Methods: Observational cohort study. Patients with a diagnosis of pincer nail who received conservative management through the application of an artificial nail plate and had six-month follow-up were included. The curvature index of the nail plate was compared before and after six months of use of the artificial nail plate and satisfaction with the treatment was evaluated. Results: A total of 17 nail plates from nine women were included. Hallux was the predominantly affected finger, 44.4% of patients reported being satisfied with the conservative management after six months of use and 33.3% reported being very satisfied. No patient presented adverse events. The median initial curvature index was 1.25 (IQR 1.17-1.44) with minimal changes at follow-up. After 6 months of use of the artificial sheet, the curvature index decreased by -0.08 (95% CI -0.47 to 0.02), p-value 0.166 evaluated in the final follow-up. Conclusions: The use of artificial foil for the correction of a clamping nail is considered a comfortable, conservative and safe tool for patients. Longer follow-up times are required to determine the risk of recurrence.