Nailfold videocapillaroscopy in systemic sclerosis: diagnostic and follow-up parameters and correlation with both specific serum autoantibodies and subsets of skin involvement

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to demonstrate, by nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC), the existence of diagnostic and follow-up parameters of microvascular damage in systemic sclerosis (SS) (grouped in the “early”, “active” and “late” NVC patterns). The presence of the different subs...

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Main Authors: A. Sulli, A. Burroni, M. Tuccio, C. Pizzorni, C. Craviotto, M. Ghio, M. Basso, B. Seriolo, M. Cutolo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: PAGEPress Publications 2004-03-01
Series:Reumatismo
Online Access:https://reumatismo.org/index.php/reuma/article/view/147
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author A. Sulli
A. Burroni
M. Tuccio
C. Pizzorni
C. Craviotto
M. Ghio
M. Basso
B. Seriolo
M. Cutolo
author_facet A. Sulli
A. Burroni
M. Tuccio
C. Pizzorni
C. Craviotto
M. Ghio
M. Basso
B. Seriolo
M. Cutolo
author_sort A. Sulli
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: The aim of the present study was to demonstrate, by nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC), the existence of diagnostic and follow-up parameters of microvascular damage in systemic sclerosis (SS) (grouped in the “early”, “active” and “late” NVC patterns). The presence of the different subsets of skin involvement (limSS and difSS), as well as the role of some specific serum autoantibodies in the expression of the NVC parameters were investigated. Methods: 245 consecutive SS patients were recruited and clinical data assessed. Antinuclear (ANA), antitopoisomerase I (Scl70) and anticentromere (ACA) antibodies were investigated in all patients. Results: Giant capillaries and hemorrhages were confirmed to be the earliest NVC finding in SS (diagnostic parameters). The loss of capillaries, along with ramified capillaries and vascular architectural disorganization were validated as parameters of progression of SS microangiopathy. Really, both Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP) and SS duration were detected longer in patients with the “late” than in those with the “active” or the “early” NVC pattern. Patients affected by limSS were found to have shorter disease duration, as well as showed more frequently the “early” or the “active” NVC patterns. Conversely, patients affected by the difSS showed longer disease duration and mostly the presence of the “active” or “late” NVC pattern. The Scl70 positivity was lower in the patients showing the “early” than in those with the “active” and the “late” NVC patterns, whereas no significant correlation was found between the Scl70 presence and both RP and SS duration. The ACA positivity was higher in patients showing the “early” NVC pattern, as well as in patients with longer disease duration. Conclusions: This study confirms that the identification of distinct NVC patterns may be useful to evaluate the severity and the stage of the SS microvascular damage. The presence of the Scl70 antibodies seems related to a more rapid progression of the SS microangiopathy. On the contrary, the presence of the ACA seems to be related to a slower progression of the SS microvascular damage. The SS peripheral microangiopathy is similar as in patients with limSS, as in those affected by difSS.
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spelling doaj.art-084e1d3e625348babeebf6d0a7f270772022-12-22T03:25:00ZengPAGEPress PublicationsReumatismo0048-74492240-26832004-03-0156110.4081/reumatismo.2004.36Nailfold videocapillaroscopy in systemic sclerosis: diagnostic and follow-up parameters and correlation with both specific serum autoantibodies and subsets of skin involvementA. SulliA. BurroniM. TuccioC. PizzorniC. CraviottoM. GhioM. BassoB. SerioloM. CutoloIntroduction: The aim of the present study was to demonstrate, by nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC), the existence of diagnostic and follow-up parameters of microvascular damage in systemic sclerosis (SS) (grouped in the “early”, “active” and “late” NVC patterns). The presence of the different subsets of skin involvement (limSS and difSS), as well as the role of some specific serum autoantibodies in the expression of the NVC parameters were investigated. Methods: 245 consecutive SS patients were recruited and clinical data assessed. Antinuclear (ANA), antitopoisomerase I (Scl70) and anticentromere (ACA) antibodies were investigated in all patients. Results: Giant capillaries and hemorrhages were confirmed to be the earliest NVC finding in SS (diagnostic parameters). The loss of capillaries, along with ramified capillaries and vascular architectural disorganization were validated as parameters of progression of SS microangiopathy. Really, both Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP) and SS duration were detected longer in patients with the “late” than in those with the “active” or the “early” NVC pattern. Patients affected by limSS were found to have shorter disease duration, as well as showed more frequently the “early” or the “active” NVC patterns. Conversely, patients affected by the difSS showed longer disease duration and mostly the presence of the “active” or “late” NVC pattern. The Scl70 positivity was lower in the patients showing the “early” than in those with the “active” and the “late” NVC patterns, whereas no significant correlation was found between the Scl70 presence and both RP and SS duration. The ACA positivity was higher in patients showing the “early” NVC pattern, as well as in patients with longer disease duration. Conclusions: This study confirms that the identification of distinct NVC patterns may be useful to evaluate the severity and the stage of the SS microvascular damage. The presence of the Scl70 antibodies seems related to a more rapid progression of the SS microangiopathy. On the contrary, the presence of the ACA seems to be related to a slower progression of the SS microvascular damage. The SS peripheral microangiopathy is similar as in patients with limSS, as in those affected by difSS.https://reumatismo.org/index.php/reuma/article/view/147
spellingShingle A. Sulli
A. Burroni
M. Tuccio
C. Pizzorni
C. Craviotto
M. Ghio
M. Basso
B. Seriolo
M. Cutolo
Nailfold videocapillaroscopy in systemic sclerosis: diagnostic and follow-up parameters and correlation with both specific serum autoantibodies and subsets of skin involvement
Reumatismo
title Nailfold videocapillaroscopy in systemic sclerosis: diagnostic and follow-up parameters and correlation with both specific serum autoantibodies and subsets of skin involvement
title_full Nailfold videocapillaroscopy in systemic sclerosis: diagnostic and follow-up parameters and correlation with both specific serum autoantibodies and subsets of skin involvement
title_fullStr Nailfold videocapillaroscopy in systemic sclerosis: diagnostic and follow-up parameters and correlation with both specific serum autoantibodies and subsets of skin involvement
title_full_unstemmed Nailfold videocapillaroscopy in systemic sclerosis: diagnostic and follow-up parameters and correlation with both specific serum autoantibodies and subsets of skin involvement
title_short Nailfold videocapillaroscopy in systemic sclerosis: diagnostic and follow-up parameters and correlation with both specific serum autoantibodies and subsets of skin involvement
title_sort nailfold videocapillaroscopy in systemic sclerosis diagnostic and follow up parameters and correlation with both specific serum autoantibodies and subsets of skin involvement
url https://reumatismo.org/index.php/reuma/article/view/147
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