Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 20, 2026
Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Published on: June 16, 2020
Association between nailfold capillaroscopy findings and pulmonary function tests in patients with systemic sclerosis
Ivan Castellví1, Carmen Pilar Simeón-Aznar2, Mónica Sarmiento2
1From the Unit of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau; Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitari Valle Hebrón; Department of Pneumology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain.I. Castellví, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Unit of Rheumatology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau; C.P. Simeón-Aznar, PhD, Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitari Valle Hebrón; M. Sarmiento, MD; C. Geli, MD; C. Diaz-Torné, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine; P. Moya, MD;J.M. De Llobet, MD, Unit of Rheumatology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau; A. Fortuna, MD; M. Mayos, MD, Department of Pneumology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau; J. Casademont, PhD, Professor of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau. icastellvi@santpau.cat.
Objective:
To determine whether there is an association between different capillaroscopic findings and pulmonary function tests in systemic sclerosis (SSc).
Methods:
We did a retrospective observational study in a cohort of patients with SSc and early SSc. Patients with at least 1 nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) magnified 120× were included. Pathological findings were giant capillaries, angiogenesis, and density loss. Findings were compared with lung function values: percent expected value of forced vital capacity (FVC), DLCO, and FVC/DLCO ratio. Other variables collected were sex and SSc type, and the presence of digital ulcers (DU), interstitial lung disease (ILD), scleroderma renal crisis, and/or pulmonary hypertension (PH).
Results:
Of 136 patients with SSc, 85 had undergone an NVC. The frequency of ILD, DU, and PH was 24.1%, 28.7%, and 17.2%, respectively. Data analysis showed that patients with density loss had worse FVC% (86.91 ± 19.42 vs 101.13 ± 16.06, p < 0.01) and DLCO% (71.43 ± 21.19 vs 85.9 ± 19.81, p < 0.01) compared to those without.
Conclusion:
Patients with loss of density present worse FVC and DLCO values. Prospective studies are warranted to determine whether NVC is useful for studying pulmonary function in SSc.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Pulmonary Function Tests
Pulmonary Function Tests are crucial diagnostic tools for assessing respiratory function, particularly in patients with chronic respiratory disorders. They comprehensively evaluate lung volumes, ventilatory function, breathing mechanics, diffusion, and gas exchange. These tests help diagnose pulmonary diseases and play a significant role in monitoring disease progression, evaluating disability, and assessing response to therapy.
PFTs involve using a spirometer, a...
01:27Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies
Medical History
01:29Cardiovascular System Abnormal Findings I: Inspection and Palpation
Abnormal findings observed during an inspection
01:27Assessment of the Cardiovascular System III: Palpation
Jugular Venous Pressure (JVP) Measurement
Position the patient at a thirty- to forty-five-degree angle or in a semi-fowler's position. Look for the highest point of pulsation in the internal jugular vein and measure the vertical distance to the angle of Loius or sternal angle. A normal JVP is 3-4 cm above...