A systematic overview on the use and relevance of capillaroscopy in systemic sclerosis

Abstract

Capillaroscopy is a non-invasive and safe technique that allows the detection and quantification of the early microvascular abnormalities that characterize secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon. The well-established role of capillaroscopy for the early diagnosis of systemic sclerosis, its inclusion in the classification criteria, combined with its predictive value for clinical complications of the disease and its potential for monitoring disease progression and treatment response, makes nailfold capillaroscopy an important assessment in clinical practice and research. Capillaroscopy provides a unique window into the microcirculation and its application in diseases in which a microvascular component is suspected; it also may provide new insights into their pathophysiology and natural history.

Keywords::

• autoantibodies
• biomarkers
• capillaroscopy
• classification criteria
• connective tissue diseases
• differential diagnosis
• imaging
• microcirculation
• Raynaud’s phenomenon
• systemic sclerosis

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Key issues

• • Nailfold capillaroscopy is applicable in adults and children because it is non-invasive, rapid and simple.

• • In patients with Raynaud's phenomenon, positive antinuclear antibodies and capillaroscopy are the strongest predictors of development scleroderma-spectrum disorders.

• • In systemic sclerosis, capillaroscopy is useful diagnostically and for evaluating disease activity and treatment response.