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Nailfold capillaroscopy in diabetes mellitus
G Maldonado1, R Guerrero1, C Paredes1
1Universidad de Especialidades Espíritu Santo, Km. 2.5 Vía la Puntilla, Samborondón, Ecuador.
Microvascular Research
|March 10, 2017
Summary
Capillaroscopy reveals significant microvascular damage in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients, with common findings like tortuous capillaries and avascular zones. This technique effectively identifies capillary alterations linked to disease progression and comorbidities.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Nephrology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Diabetes mellitus (DM) causes chronic hyperglycemia and microvascular complications like retinopathy and nephropathy.
- Conventional methods for studying vascular compromise in DM are common, but capillaroscopy for capillary microarchitecture is underutilized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of capillaroscopy in assessing capillary microarchitecture in patients with diabetes mellitus.
- To identify specific capillaroscopic patterns associated with DM and its progression.
Main Methods:
- An observational, descriptive study involving 65 patients diagnosed with DM and a control group.
- Capillaroscopy was performed, analyzing parameters such as capillary diameter, tortuosity, avascular zones, and subpapillary venous plexus visibility.
Main Results:
- Capillaroscopic alterations were observed in 83% of DM patients.
- Common findings included tortuous capillaries (63%), cross-linked capillaries (59%), avascular areas (48%), and ectasias (39%).
Conclusions:
- Significant capillaroscopic changes are evident in DM patients, characterized by a pattern of capillary dilatation, avascular zones, and tortuosity.
- Increased microvascular damage, identified via capillaroscopy, correlates with disease progression and the presence of comorbidities in DM patients.
