Systemic sclerosis & Raynaud's
Treatment with mycophenolate mofetil is associated with improved nailfold vasculature in systemic sclerosis
Authors' conclusion
Nailfold capillary density improved over time in a substantial proportion of SSc patients. MMF treatment had a positive impact on the evolution of capillary density in these patients. SSc autoantibody phenotype may affect the capillary density development.
Study context
- Population
- Consecutive newly diagnosed SSc patients with at least two nailfold capillary microscopy measurements during the first 48 months of follow-up68 women · 12 men
- Participants
- 80 participants
- Exposure
- MMF treatment and SSc autoantibodies in relation to nailfold capillary density evolution
- Outcome
- Evolution of nailfold capillary density (per 3 mm, widefield nailfold capillary microscopy)
Methodological detailsconsecutive newly diagnosed patients, retrospective review of NFC measurements, generalized estimating equation
- Consecutive newly diagnosed patients
- Retrospective review of NFC measurements
- Generalized estimating equation
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Nailfold capillary density evolution · median follow-up 27 months
- Patients with improved capillary density in per-finger analysis
- 28
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Capillary density by SSc autoantibodies
- Anti-topoisomerase antibodies associated with low mean capillary density
- Anti-RNA polymerase III antibodies associated with improvement of capillary density (per-finger analysis)
- Anti-centromere antibodies associated with worsening of capillary density (per-finger analysis)
Original publication
Treatment with mycophenolate mofetil is associated with improved nailfold vasculature in systemic sclerosis. Rheumatology (Oxford). Published 9 May 2023. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →