Microvascular Analysis in Systemic Sclerosis: Unlocking the Power of Nailfold Videocapillaroscopy

Primary Raynaud phenomenon, a clinical symptom of altered peripheral microcirculation, affects approximately 5-15% of individuals in the general population. In nearly 15% of cases, this condition can progress to secondary Raynaud phenomenon, associated with systemic sclerosis and other connective tissue diseases, within an average of 29.4 months.

Nailfold Videocapillaroscopy: A Reliable Diagnostic Tool

Nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) has emerged as the safest, non-invasive, and cost-effective method for analyzing microvascular abnormalities in systemic sclerosis. By scoring and quantifying the findings, NVC enables the best clinical management of patients. Early detection of microvascular damage and dysfunction, which are clinically mirrored by secondary Raynaud phenomenon, is crucial for effective diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.

Reduced capillary density on NVC has been shown to predict and correlate with a high risk of developing digital skin ulcers and the presence of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Therefore, NVC can serve as a reliable marker of systemic sclerosis severity and progression, as well as monitor therapeutic effects.

The Growing Importance of Capillaroscopy in Rheumatic Diseases

Recent research has led to a surge of interest in capillaroscopy, with almost 350 papers published on the subject in the last 10 years, accounting for nearly 50% of the total number of publications since 1951. However, until recently, there was a lack of a comprehensive atlas that explained capillaroscopy in rheumatic diseases in a modern, updated, and physiologically-based way.

Now, a cutting-edge atlas is available, featuring insight from renowned international experts in the field. These experts, members of the board of the international courses on capillaroscopy supported by the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR), provide a detailed and progressive analysis of capillaroscopic findings in rheumatic diseases.

By carefully analyzing the atlas, readers will gain a deep understanding of the capillaroscopic characteristics of the most important rheumatic diseases and be able to apply this knowledge in their daily clinical practice.

Publication Details:

• Publisher: Elsevier Srl
• Publication Date: September 30, 2010
• Language: English
• Pages: 209
• ISBN: 9788821432033, 8821432033
• eText ISBN: 9788821433917, 8821433919