Diagnostic Utility of Nailfold Capillaroscopy using Hand-held Dermoscope in Systemic Sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Rheumatology
• Microcirculation

Background:

• Systemic sclerosis (SSc) pathogenesis involves vascular injury, fibrosis, and immune activation.
• Nailfold capillaroscopy (NFC) visualizes microvascular changes, aiding early SSc diagnosis.
• Hand-held dermoscopes offer practical advantages over videodermoscopes in clinical settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate nail fold capillary patterns in SSc patients using a hand-held dermoscope.
• To correlate NFC findings with SSc disease severity and clinical manifestations.

Main Methods:

• An observational, cross-sectional study included 50 SSc patients.
• Nailfold capillaroscopy (NFC) was performed using a DermLite DL4 hand-held dermoscope.
• Capillary distribution, morphology, density, and patterns were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Dilated capillaries (80%) and active scleroderma pattern (56%) were the most frequent NFC findings.
• Mean capillary density was 4.7 ± 0.81/mm.
• Significant associations were observed between capillary patterns and disease duration, type, and cutaneous manifestations.

Conclusions:

• Hand-held dermoscopes are reliable and accessible tools for SSc diagnosis.
• NFC with hand-held dermoscopes aids in assessing SSc severity and prognosis.