Systemic sclerosis & Raynaud's
Differences in nailfold capillaroscopy findings between limited and diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis: a detailed analysis
Authors' conclusion
The current investigation underlines the importance of NVC detailed analysis and scoring in discriminating the severity of microvascular damage between lcSSc and dcSSc.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with lcSSc, dcSSc and primary Raynaud phenomenon undergoing nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC)
- Participants
- 157 patients
- Exposure
- NVC findings in lcSSc vs dcSSc, with primary Raynaud phenomenon (pRP) as comparator
- lcSScn = 100reference
- dcSScn = 27
- pRPn = 30
- Outcome
- Absolute number of capillaries (per linear millimetre) at first NVC analysis; 'Early'/'Active' and 'Late' NVC status scores
- Follow-up
- First NVC analysis
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Absolute number of capillaries
P < 0.001
- Significant difference in absolute capillary number between lcSSc, dcSSc and pRP
- P < 0.001
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | P value |
|---|---|
| 'Late' NVC status scoredcSSc vs lcSSc · significantly higher in dcSSc | P < 0.001 |
- 'Late' NVC status score — Lower capillary density in dcSSc
- p<0.001
- 'Late' NVC status score — Altered shapes in dcSSc
- p<0.001
- 'Late' NVC status score — Presence of abnormal shapes in dcSSc
- p=0.005
Correlation of modified Rodnan Skin Score with capillary number and 'Late' NVC status score
- Higher mRSS associated with decreased capillary number and higher 'Late' NVC status score
- P < 0.001
NVC systemic sclerosis (SSc) pattern
- Association between 'Late' SSc pattern and dcSSc
- P = 0.004
- Association between 'Early' SSc pattern and lcSSc
- P = 0.010
Absolute capillary number, pRP vs all SSc
- Normal and significantly higher in pRP than in all SSc
- P < 0.001
Original publication
Differences in nailfold capillaroscopy findings between limited and diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis: a detailed analysis. RMD Open. Published 5 July 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →