observational
    1990

    Treatment of brittle fingernails and onychoschizia with biotin: scanning electron microscopy

    Colombo VE, Gerber F, Bronhofer M, Floersheim GL

    Published in Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

    Methodology

    Uncontrolled before-and-after scanning electron microscopy study of distal fingernail clippings from 32 subjects: 10 normal controls and 22 patients with brittle nails treated with oral biotin.

    Key Findings

    Nail thickness increased significantly by 25% in the group with matched pre/post clippings and by 7% in the second group; nail splitting was reduced and dorsal surface cell arrangement normalized.

    Conclusions

    Oral biotin increased nail plate thickness and reduced splitting in patients with brittle nails and onychoschizia.

    Limitations

    No placebo control, very small sample, historical study, non-blinded morphological assessment.

    Supplements Studied

    The thickness of the nails in group B increased significantly by 25%.

    Outcomes Measured

    The thickness of the nails in group B increased significantly by 25%.

    Study Details

    Year:1990
    Sample Size:32
    Quality Score:4/10

    Disclosures

    Funding

    Not reported

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