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Angeloudi E, Anyfanti P, Dara A, Pagkopoulou E, Bekiari E, Sgouropoulou V, Garyfallos A, Doumas M, Kitas GD, Dimitroulas T. Peripheral nailfold capillary microscopic abnormalities in rheumatoid arthritis are associated with arterial stiffness: Results from a cross-sectional study. Microvasc Res 2023; 150:104576. [PMID: 37414357 DOI: 10.1016/j.mvr.2023.104576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Vascular injury eventually resulting in the establishment of cardiovascular disease is a serious complication in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) is a non-invasive imaging modality that enables the quantitative and qualitative assessment of the peripheral microvasculature. Nevertheless, capillaroscopic patterns remain inadequately defined in RA, especially regarding their clinical significance as potential markers of systemic vascular impairment. Consecutive RA patients underwent NVC using a standardized protocol, to assess the following parameters: capillary density, avascular areas, capillary dimensions, microhemorrhages, subpapillary venous plexus, and presence of ramified, bushy, crossed and tortuous capillaries. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) and pulse pressure were measured as well-acknowledged markers of large artery stiffening. The vast majority of our cohort (n = 44) presented a combination of non-specific and abnormal capillaroscopic parameters. Capillary ramification was associated with both PWV and pulse pressure, even after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors and systemic inflammation. Our study highlights the high prevalence of a wide range of capillaroscopic deviations from the normal patterns in RA. Furthermore, it provides for the first time evidence of an association between structural disorders of the microcirculation and markers of macrovascular dysfunction, suggesting that NVC might have a role as an index of generalised vascular impairment in RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Angeloudi
- Second Medical Department, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Panagiota Anyfanti
- Second Medical Department, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Athanasia Dara
- Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eleni Pagkopoulou
- Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eleni Bekiari
- Second Medical Department, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Sgouropoulou
- 1st Department of Paediatrics, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Alexandros Garyfallos
- Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Michael Doumas
- 2nd Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - George D Kitas
- Department of Rheumatology, Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, Dudley, UK; School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Theodoros Dimitroulas
- Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Lim MW, Setjiadi D, Dobbin SJ, Lang NN, Delles C, Connelly PJ. Nailfold video-capillaroscopy in the study of cardiovascular disease: a systematic review. Blood Press Monit 2023; 28:24-32. [PMID: 36281701 PMCID: PMC9815820 DOI: 10.1097/mbp.0000000000000624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Nailfold video-capillaroscopy (NVC) is an inexpensive method of assessing microcirculation. We reviewed the literature to assess whether changes to the nailfold capillaries exist in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). METHODS We searched PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane Library databases for original research articles relating to the use of noninvasive microvascular assessment in patients with CVD. Methodological quality was assessed with the 'Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-sectional Studies.' The results obtained from NVC were analysed qualitatively and compared with other forms of microvascular assessment. RESULTS In total 2759 articles were screened, of which 22 studies involving 562 patients (~40% women) with CVD were included. Mean age ranged between 3.7-68.4 years (cases) and 4.0-58.0 years (controls). Reduced capillary density and increased capillary dimensions were seen in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Among patients with systemic sclerosis, advanced scleroderma patterns can be used to identify patients with or at risk of developing PAH. Functional nailfold changes precede structural changes in patients with hypertension. However, the studies were heterogeneous in the diagnosis of disease and the measurement of nailfold parameters. Most studies did not exclude conditions with altered nailfold features, and only one study performed a power calculation. Furthermore, abnormal nailfold findings are present in patients without systemic disease. CONCLUSIONS Structural and functional changes to the nailfold are a feature of established CVD and precede the development of PAH. However, heterogeneity in measurement and abnormal findings in healthy participants limit their use in the wider population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew W.S. Lim
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Dellaneira Setjiadi
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Stephen J.H. Dobbin
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Ninian N. Lang
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Christian Delles
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Paul J. Connelly
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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Bairwa D, Kavadichanda CG, Dunga S, Mathew A, G A, M S G, Mamatha G, Thabah MM, Negi VS. Effect of skin phototype on quantitative nailfold capillaroscopy. JOURNAL OF SCLERODERMA AND RELATED DISORDERS 2022; 7:197-203. [PMID: 36211202 PMCID: PMC9537707 DOI: 10.1177/23971983221102688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Objectives To determine the impact of Fitzpatrick scale-based skin phototype on visualization of capillary density using nailfold capillaroscopy in healthy Indian adults. Methods In this cross-sectional study, healthy adults were examined for nailfold capillaroscopy findings utilizing a portable capillary microscope at 800× magnification. Photographs of two contiguous areas measuring 1 mm2 each of the distal row of capillaries were captured. Images were captured from the central area of all fingers except thumb in both hands. Capillary density and morphology of nailfold capillaroscopies were assessed by two blinded assessors. The nailfold capillaroscopy parameters were compared between the Standard Fitzpatrick scale-based skin phototypes. Results A total of 118 healthy adults were enrolled in the study. Type III, IV, V, and VI skin phototypes were seen in 27 (22.90%), 32 (27.19%), 29 (24.58%), and 30 (25.42%) participants, respectively. All participants (100%) had normal nailfold capillaroscopy morphology and architecture. Zero capillaries were visible in 11 fingers among 5 patients (4.24%) and all of them had Type VI phototype. The median capillary density per mm was 5.19 (interquartile range = 4.37-6.75) with 90 (76.27%) participants having less than seven capillaries. The median average capillary density was significantly different (p-value < 0.0001) across Type III (8.13, interquartile range = 6.44-8.88), Type IV (5.67, interquartile range = 4.41-6.98), Type V (4.94, interquartile range = 4.19-5.38), and Type VI (4.53, interquartile range = 3.72-4.91) phototypes (p < 0.05). Conclusion The number of capillaries visualized during nailfold capillaroscopy decreases as the skin pigmentation increases. There is a need to redefine the nailfold capillaroscopy density and avascularity by taking skin phototype as one of the determinants before labeling a nailfold capillaroscopy finding with less visualized capillaries as abnormal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devender Bairwa
- Department of Clinical Immunology,
Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER),
Pondicherry, India
| | - Chengappa G Kavadichanda
- Department of Clinical Immunology,
Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER),
Pondicherry, India
| | - Saikumar Dunga
- Department of Clinical Immunology,
Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER),
Pondicherry, India
| | - Anoop Mathew
- Department of Clinical Immunology,
Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER),
Pondicherry, India
| | - Aishwarya G
- Department of Clinical Immunology,
Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER),
Pondicherry, India
| | - Gayathri M S
- Department of Clinical Immunology,
Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER),
Pondicherry, India
| | - Gorijavolu Mamatha
- Department of Clinical Immunology,
Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER),
Pondicherry, India
| | - Molly Mary Thabah
- Department of Clinical Immunology,
Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER),
Pondicherry, India
| | - Vir Singh Negi
- All India Institute of Medical
Sciences, Bilaspur, India
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Anyfanti P, Angeloudi E, Dara A, Arvanitaki A, Bekiari E, Kitas GD, Dimitroulas T. Nailfold Videocapillaroscopy for the Evaluation of Peripheral Microangiopathy in Rheumatoid Arthritis. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:life12081167. [PMID: 36013346 PMCID: PMC9410266 DOI: 10.3390/life12081167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic and refractory autoimmune joint disease that affects multiple organs. Several methods have been applied for the study of microvascular endothelial dysfunction, which is considered an important component of vascular disease in RA. Implementation of nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) represents a viable choice, as the skin is an easily accessible window for the non-invasive, real-time assessment of subtle microcirculation abnormalities. Although NVC is routinely used in the rheumatology field, especially for the diagnostic workout of Raynaud’s phenomenon, accumulating evidence suggests a role in the evaluation of systemic vasculopathy associated with autoimmune rheumatic disorders. The current paper aims to provide an overview of NVC as a valuable clinical aid for the assessment of peripheral microcirculation in RA. Previous studies characterizing the capillaroscopic pattern in RA are summarized, along with associations with disease-related characteristics. Most available reports have mainly focused on the descriptions of non-specific morphological alterations that may reflect endothelial injury over the course of the disease. Still, the exact pattern of structural and functional capillaroscopic alterations and their clinical significance in RA remains a subject of ongoing research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiota Anyfanti
- Second Medical Department, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece; (E.A.); (E.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Elena Angeloudi
- Second Medical Department, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece; (E.A.); (E.B.)
| | - Athanasia Dara
- Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece; (A.D.); (A.A.); (T.D.)
| | - Alexandra Arvanitaki
- Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece; (A.D.); (A.A.); (T.D.)
- First Department of Cardiology, AHEPA University Hospital, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54621 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eleni Bekiari
- Second Medical Department, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece; (E.A.); (E.B.)
| | - George D. Kitas
- Department of Rheumatology, Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, Dudley DY1 2HQ, UK;
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Theodoros Dimitroulas
- Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece; (A.D.); (A.A.); (T.D.)
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