Nailfold capillaroscopy in type I diabetics with vasculopathy and limited joint mobility

The nailfold capillary pattern of 48 Type I diabetic patients with longstanding disease and of 15 normal controls was studied using the technique of widefield nailfold capillaroscopy. Twenty-six diabetic patients had documented vascular disease (retinopathy) and 27 had flexion contractures of the hand. No distinctive morphologic capillary lesions were observed in any diabetic patient, nor were any differences in capillary loop number or density found between the diabetic and control groups. While vascular disease is a prominent feature of diabetes, it is not reflected in the appearance of the nailfold capillary pattern.