Nailfold Capillaroscopy and Clinical Applications in Systemic Sclerosis

Vanessa Smith; Kristof Thevissen; Amelia C Trombetta; Carmen Pizzorni; Barbara Ruaro; Yves Piette; Sabrina Paolino; Filip De Keyser; Alberto Sulli; Karin Melsens; Maurizio Cutolo; EULAR Study Group on Microcirculation in Rheumatic Diseases

doi:10.1111/micc.12281

Nailfold Capillaroscopy and Clinical Applications in Systemic Sclerosis

Microcirculation. 2016 Jul;23(5):364-72. doi: 10.1111/micc.12281.

Affiliations

¹ Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
² Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
³ Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy.

PMID: 27086648
DOI: 10.1111/micc.12281

Abstract

Capillary microscopy is a safe and non-invasive tool to evaluate the morphology of the microcirculation typically affected in SSc. Next to being paramount for the "(very) early" diagnosis of SSc eyes are also geared toward capillaroscopy with the aim to be able to use it as a biomarker, especially in the prediction of future occurrence of DU. The following review will explain what capillary microscopy is and will focus additionally on studies evaluating the association between capillaroscopy and DU.

Keywords: Raynaud's phenomenon; biomarker; capillaroscopy; digital trophic lesions; qualitative/quantitative assessment; systemic sclerosis.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Biomarkers
Humans
Microcirculation
Microscopic Angioscopy / methods*
Scleroderma, Systemic / diagnostic imaging*
Scleroderma, Systemic / physiopathology

Substances

Biomarkers