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Nail biting in rheumatic diseases

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Summary

To ascertain if nail biting (usually considered a manifestation of emotional tension) was associated with fibromyalgia, 387 patients attending the Rheumatism Clinic at the Leeds General Infirmary were studied prospectively. Bitten nails appeared to be a feature of youth rather than of fibromyalgia. Patients with a full set of dentures were less likely to bite their nails than others, but it can and was done by 7%. Posing the question about nail biting worried several patients, indicating the wisdom of seeking ethical approval even for “noninvasive” studies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Research Unit, Research School of Medicine, University of Leeds, 36, Clarendon Road, Leeds, LS2 9NZ, U.K.

    V. Wright M.D., B. Atrash & R. Hopkins

Authors
  1. V. Wright M.D.
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  2. B. Atrash
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  3. R. Hopkins
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Wright, V., Atrash, B. & Hopkins, R. Nail biting in rheumatic diseases. Clin Rheumatol 14, 93–94 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02208091

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02208091

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