Clubbing is common in some types of lung cancer, and 35% of those with clubbing develop lung cancer, according to Cancer Research UK, the world’s largest independent cancer research organisation.
A popular test for clubbing, this method is considered a partial method for confirming conditions. In just a few seconds, you can perform this test to see whether there is a gap between your two opposite fingers.
In the article where we compiled how you can control your nails and what diseases clubbing may be a sign of, we answered our questions to Phytotherapist Dr. We also asked Uğur Yavuzcan. As a result of the information and research provided by Yavuzcan, let’s examine the details of the “Schamroth window test”.
What is the Schamroth window test and how is it done?
Nail clubbing is the loss of the angle between the nail bed and the bend. This angle is normally minimal and does not extend more than half of the nail bed. However, in clubbing, the convexity of the nail fold increases and the fingertip thickens.
The Schamroth window test is one of the simplest methods to determine whether clubbing occurs. You can bring both your index fingers together and look at the space between them. People who do not have any of the mentioned diseases develop a diamond-shaped hole between their fingers. If there is no hole, you may have clubbing in your fingers, and this is an early warning sign of various diseases, especially lung cancer.
The most obvious feature of finger clubbing is that the nails are more curved than normal when viewed from the side. Although it is thought that fluid accumulation is what causes the tips to grow, it is not clear what the effect of cancer and other diseases is on this. Some scientists think that clubbing is caused by platelets and vascular endothelial growth factor.
What diseases can clubbing indicate?
Clubbing, which can be seen not only on the hands but also on the feet, is a symptom of various diseases, especially lung cancer.
The most common disease is non-small cell lung cancer. Clubbing is among the symptoms of some diseases in 80% of cases. Diseases that occur due to pulmonary and cardiovascular reasons include pulmonary abscess (lung abscess), interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (lung hardening), pulmonary arteriovenous fistula, beryllium poisoning, sarcoidosis, subacute bacterial endocarditis, infected arterial grafts and aortic aneurysm.
Clubbing can be a symptom of some heart conditions, as well as diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and neoplasms. Hypoxia, cyanotic heart disease, myxoma, tetralogy of fallot (blue baby disease) are among them. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, cirrhosis, malabsorption, and Graves’ disease are among other diseases.
Clubbing, which has been around for centuries, is also known as “Hippocrates’ fingers”.
The existence of clubbed nails or clubbed nails has been accepted since Hippocrates. The nails of Dutch Painter Dick Ket appear to have the same structure. Although the underlying disease is not known exactly, it is thought to be dextrocardia.
Even if you do not have lung cancer, it is beneficial to be checked by a doctor.
Dr. Uğur Yavuzcan emphasizes that clubbing in the fingers and toes does not mean that there is a lung or heart disease, but that a doctor’s check is necessary to be evaluated for respiratory or heart disease.
What can be determined by nail structure?
In addition to clubfoot, nail structure actually helps detect a number of general and specific conditions. Profession and hobbies, emotional state can be understood by the nail structure, as well as the person’s nutritional status, medical history, rheumatic conditions and dermatological problems.
Koilonychia (spoon nail); It can be a symptom of iron deficiency, diabetes, protein deficiency, Raynaud’s disease and systemic lupus erythematosus (butterfly disease). The test for this is quite simple. A drop of water is placed on the nail. If the drop does not slide, flattening occurs due to the spooning of the nail.
Nails with a central nail canal can be a sign of a number of conditions. Arterial disease can be a symptom of severe malnutrition and repetitive trauma. Rough nail surface; While psoriasis can occur as a result of autoimmune disease and chemical exposure, nail pilling is an indicator of diabetes, thyroid disorders, Addison’s disease and vitamin B deficiency.
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