Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 27, 2026

A Reproducible Computerized Method for Quantitation of Capillary Density using Nailfold Capillaroscopy
05:17

A Reproducible Computerized Method for Quantitation of Capillary Density using Nailfold Capillaroscopy

Published on: October 27, 2015

Decreased capillary density in juvenile dermatomyositis and in mixed connective tissue disease

A Scheja1, R Elborgh, M Wildt

  • 1Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital at Lund, Sweden.

The Journal of Rheumatology
|June 25, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Quantitative nailfold capillary microscopy effectively detects capillary abnormalities in juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM). This method is less effective for diagnosing mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric rheumatology
  • Vascular biology
  • Diagnostic imaging

Background:

  • Connective tissue diseases (CTDs) can manifest with microvascular changes.
  • Early detection of these changes is crucial for timely intervention in pediatric CTDs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the utility of quantitative capillary microscopy in identifying capillary abnormalities in children diagnosed with CTDs.
  • To compare the sensitivity of this technique in juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) versus mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD).

Main Methods:

  • Computer-based quantitative capillary microscopy was performed on 8 children with JDM, 6 with MCTD, and 23 healthy children.
  • Key parameters assessed included capillary density and capillary loop area.

Main Results:

  • Children with JDM showed significantly decreased capillary density (p < 0.001) and increased capillary loop area (p < 0.001) compared to controls.
  • Children with MCTD also exhibited decreased capillary density (p < 0.05) and increased capillary loop area (p < 0.02) versus controls, but with less pronounced differences.

Conclusions:

  • Quantitative nailfold capillary microscopy is a sensitive diagnostic tool for identifying microvascular alterations in pediatric JDM.
  • The technique demonstrates less discriminative power for MCTD in the pediatric population.
Abstract

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