Differences in nailfold capillaroscopy findings between limited and diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis: a detailed analysis.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate and distinguish detailed nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) findings in patients with limited (lcSSc) and diffuse (dcSSc) cutaneous systemic sclerosis (SSc).

METHODS

A total of 157 patients was recruited, 100 with lcSSc, 27 with dcSSc and 30 with primary Raynaud phenomenon (pRP). The NVC SSc pattern and the absolute number of capillaries (per linear millimetre) were performed at the first NVC analysis. 'Early'/'Active' NVC status (capillary dilations, microhaemorrhages and giant capillaries) and 'Late' NVC status (number of capillaries, altered microvascular architecture and abnormal capillary shapes) were scored.

RESULTS

A statistically significant difference in the absolute number of capillaries between patients with lcSSc, dcSSc and pRP was found (p<0.001). Capillary number loss was present in both SSc subgroups and it was significantly higher in patients with dcSSc compared with lcSSc (4.89±1.53 vs 6.18±1.75, p<0.001). A significantly higher 'Late' NVC status score was observed in patients with dcSSc (p<0.001), including lower capillary density (p<0.001), altered shapes (p<0.001) and presence of abnormal shapes (p=0.005). Correlations showed that higher modified Rodnan Skin Score is associated with decreased capillary number and higher 'Late' NVC status score (p<0.001). Additionally, a statistically significant association was established between 'Late' SSc pattern and dcSSc (p=0.004) and between 'Early' SSc pattern and lcSSc (p=0.010). The absolute capillary number was normal and significantly higher in patients with pRP (p<0.001) than in all patients with SSc.

CONCLUSIONS

The current investigation underlines the importance of NVC detailed analysis and scoring in discriminating the severity of microvascular damage between lcSSc and dcSSc.