Nailfold video capillaroscopy as a useful diagnostic tool in systemic vasculitis

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Dermatology
• Microcirculation Research

Background:

• Nailfold video capillaroscopy (NVC) offers direct visualization of microvasculature.
• Limited studies have explored NVC in adult vasculitis patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize nailfold video capillaroscopy changes in patients with vasculitis.
• To identify potential diagnostic markers for vasculitis using NVC.

Main Methods:

• NVC was performed on vasculitis patients and healthy controls.
• Retrospective analysis of NVC in 100 patients with Raynaud's phenomenon (RP).

Main Results:

• Active vasculitis patients showed increased neoangiogenesis and capillary loss compared to controls.
• Two novel findings in vasculitis: "rolling" (slow capillary flow) and "peri-capillary stippling" (PCS).
• PCS was observed in active vasculitis and in 14% of RP patients, predominantly those with scleroderma.

Conclusions:

• Active vasculitis is associated with frequent, though non-specific, capillary abnormalities.
• The combination of NVC findings, including PCS, may aid in vasculitis diagnosis.
• Further research is required to validate these NVC findings.