Aprile Vol.2 N° 1 - 2006 - Salute per tutti

Figure 3. Rate of subjects with nail fragility (1st study).
Clinical Condition Test product Control nails
(% of subjects) (% of subjects)
2 grade improvement 3% 0%
1 grade improvement 67% 3%
No change 30% 94%
Worsening 0% 3%
p < 0.001 treated nails vs untreated control nails (Wilcoxon’s test)
Table 2. Rate of outcome on nail fragility (1st study).
(p < 0.001 for the treated nails vs untreated
nails). Other clinical parameters (dystrophy,
onycholysis, thin nails) revealed no statistically
significant changes when comparing baseline
with the final condition (data not displayed).
4a
Equisetum arvense in a new transungual technology improves nail structure and appearance
No significant change was observed in the transverse
grooves present on both nails.
Subject’s acceptability was significantly good
(Friedman’s test p = 0). The product was appreciated
as it was quickly absorbed and left the
nails smoother, with a more polished appearance
than control nails. On the other hand, low
acceptability of the smell led to switch the sulfur
donor from methyonine to methylsulfonyl
methane for the second study. The efficacy of the
treatment was judged as excellent by 9%, good
by 64%, poor or none by the rest of subjects and
the tolerability of the product was excellent without
adverse events occurring during the study.
Second study
The parameter Ra for longitudinal
grooves decreased significantly in the treated
nails with a percentage reduction of 13% after
only 1 week and 28% at the end of application
period (Student’s test p < 0.01 baseline vs. the
intermediate stage and p < 0.001 baseline vs.
final condition). With regards to the control
nails, there were no significant changes in roughness,
only a very slight tendency towards reduction
of the parameter Ra at the end of the study.
The statistical analysis between treated and
untreated control area for Ra revealed significance
of the differences (p < 0.001) in the ∆ final
of the treated area compared to ∆ final untreated
area. Scan electron microscopy performed on
some casts confirmed a smoother surface of the
treated nails compared to baseline images
(Figures 4a to 4h).
4b 4c
Figure 4a. Scan electron microscopy (366x), Subject no. 1 (before treatment); Figure 4b. Scan electron microscopy (377x), Subject no. 1 (after treatment):
Figure 4c. Scan electron microscopy (360x), Subject no. 9 (before treatment)
Journal of Plastic Dermatology 2006; 2, 1 35