Periungual capillaroscopy in psoriasis

Nailfold capillaroscopy as diagnostic test in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: A systematic review

Up to 30 % of patients with psoriasis (PsO) develop psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and diagnosis can be difficult. Nailfold capillaroscopy (NC) is an easily applicable, non-invasive procedure to assess skin microcirculation. This systematic review investigates NC as diagnostic tool for PsO and PsA, including correlations between NC outcome measures to clinical and laboratory outcome measures. This systematic review was built on the PICO and PRISMA guidelines. In total 22 relevant studies were found Searching in the Web of Science, PubMed and Embase, latest update June 13th, 2022. The following NC outcome measures are found to be significantly more prevalent in PsO patients than healthy controls: reduced density, reduced length and more abnormal morphology. Likewise, in PsA patients, reduced density, more abnormal morphology, more microhaemorrhages and fewer hairpin shapes are found to be significantly more prevalent. Results were non-conclusive in terms of disease activity and duration with NC findings. Random-effects meta-analysis showed a significant reduction of density in PsO patients compared to healthy controls (studies: 6, n = 249; SMD = -0.91; 95 % CI [-1.41, -0.40], p = 0.0058, heterogeneity I²=74 %, AUC = 0.740) and in PsA patients compared to healthy controls (studies: 5, n = 130; SMD = -1.22; 95 % CI [-2.38, -0.06], p = 0.0432, heterogeneity I²=89 %, AUC = 0.806). No NC outcome measures were overall conclusive in differentiating PsO from PsA. Considering the conflicting results and small sample sizes further large-scale research on the identification of capillaroscopic changes in PsO and PsA and correlations with standardised clinical and laboratory outcome measures are necessary.

Non-invasive techniques to access in vivo the skin microcirculation in patients

The microcirculation is composed of blood vessels with mean internal diameter smaller than 100 μm. This structure is responsible for survival of cells and in the last 50 years its study has become increasingly interesting because it often participates in the pathophysiology of several diseases or can determine better or worse prognosis for them. Due to the growing importance of knowing more about the microcirculation, several techniques have been developed and now it is possible to study its structure or function. In the last 25 years, the cutaneous microcirculation has emerged as an accessible and representative portion of generalized vascular bed allowing the examination of mechanisms of microcirculatory function and dysfunction. This mini review presents several techniques used for non-invasive access to skin microcirculation, such as Nailfold Videocapillaroscopy, Orthogonal Polarization Spectral Imaging, Sidestream Dark Field Imaging, Incident Dark field Illumination, Laser Doppler Flowmetry, and Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging applied. The techniques presented will describe which types of variables (structural or functional) can be evaluated, their limitations and potential uses.

Evaluation of serum vascular endothelial growth factor level and findings of nailfold capillaroscopy by dermatoscope in the differential diagnosis of palmoplantar psoriasis and palmoplantar eczema

OBJECT

This study aimed to evaluate VEGF level, capillaroscopic findings, and these features for differential diagnosis of palmoplantar psoriasis and eczema patients.

METHODS

This comparative cross-sectional study included 40 patients clinical and histopathologically diagnosed with eczema or psoriasis (20 psoriasis and 20 eczema) and 30 patients of similar age and gender without inflammatory disease in the control group. Serum samples of patients were collected and analyzed for VEGF by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and at the same time, we applied capillaroscopy with computerized dermatoscopy qualitatively and semiquantitatively.

RESULTS

In the qualitative evaluation, a decrease in capillary density and a significant increase of the avascular area was in palmoplantar plaque psoriasis (PPP) and palmoplantar eczema (PPE) patients compared to the control group. In the semiquantitative evaluation, the mean score decreased capillary density was significantly higher in PPE than in the PPP and control groups (p < 0.001). Minor morphological change (tortuous, crossed and enlarged capillary) scores were significantly higher in patients with PPE compared to PPP and control groups (p = 0.011). Major morphological change (mega, meandering, branching, bushy, bizarre, and disorganized polymorphic capillary) score was significantly higher in patients with PPP than PPE and the control group (p < 0.001). Major morphological change and m-PPPASI scores were correlated in PPP patients (p < 0.05). Disorganized capillaries in PPP patients were significantly higher than in the PPE and control groups (p < 0.001). There was no significant correlation between serum VEGF value and clinical severity and capillaroscopy findings of the patients.

CONCLUSION

Significant morphological changes were detected between PPP, PPE, and control groups in the qualitative and semi-quantitative evaluation of capillaroscopic findings. In the differential diagnosis of PPP and PPE, major morphological change, especially the presence of disorganized polymorphic capillaries, was considered an important finding in the capillaroscopic evaluation. These capillaroscopic findings may be helpful to discriminate eczema and psoriasis. However, there was no significant relationship between serum VEGF level and the patients' capillaroscopic findings and clinical severity.

Imaging of the Nail Unit in Psoriatic Patients - a Systematic Scoping Review of Techniques and Terminology

Background

The growing interest in the visualization of psoriatic nail unit changes has led to the discovery of an abundance of image characteristics across various modalities.

Objective

To identify techniques for non‐invasive imaging of nail unit structures in psoriatic patients and review extracted image features to unify the diverse terminology.

Methods

For this systematic scoping review, we included studies available on PubMed and Embase, independently extracted image characteristics, and semantically grouped the identified features to suggest a preferred terminology for each technique.

Results

After screening 753 studies, 67 articles on the visualization of clinical and subclinical psoriatic changes in the nail plate, matrix, bed, folds and hyponychium were included. We identified 4 optical and 3 radiological imaging techniques for the assessment of surface (dermoscopy [n = 16], capillaroscopy [n = 12]), sub‐surface (ultrasound imaging [n = 36], optical coherence tomography [n = 4], fluorescence optical imaging [n = 3]), and deep‐seated psoriatic changes (magnetic resonance imaging [n = 2], positron emission tomography‐computed tomography [n = 1]). By condensing 244 image feature descriptions into a glossary of 82 terms, overall redundancy was cut by 66.4% (37.5%–77.1%). More than 75% of these image features provide additional disease‐relevant information that is not captured using conventional clinical assessment scales.

Conclusions

This review has identified, unified, and contextualized image features and related terminology for non‐invasive imaging of the nail unit in patients with psoriatic conditions. The suggested glossary could facilitate the integrative use of non‐invasive imaging techniques for the detailed examination of psoriatic nail unit structures in research and clinical practice.

Nailfold capillaroscopy alterations in androgenetic alopecia: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Androgenetic alopecia is considered to be an independent predictor of mortality from diabetes mellitus and heart disease. However, whether androgenetic alopecia causes changes in microcirculation is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to investigate whether alterations in nailfold capillaries occur in androgenetic alopecia patients.

METHODS

The nailfold capillaroscopy images of androgenetic alopecia patients and matched controls were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

The frequencies of avascular areas, dilated, bushy and bizarre capillaries and capillary disorganization, nailfold capillaroscopy scores of 2 or scores both 2 and 3 were significantly higher in the androgenetic alopecia group than in the healthy controls (9.0% vs. 0%, 57.7% vs. 19.2%, 3.8% vs. 0%, 2.8% vs. 1.3%, 3.8% vs. 0%, 38.5% vs. 12.8% and 39.7% vs. 12.8%, respectively).

LIMITATIONS

The results of this study may be biased on account of the limited sample size or the presence of an undiagnosed disease in participants which could alter the nailfold capillaries.

CONCLUSION

Bushy, bizarre and dilated capillaries, capillary disorganization, avascular areas and nailfold capillaroscopy scores of 2 or 2 and 3 were more common in androgenetic alopecia patients than in healthy controls. These findings indicate that abnormalities in microcirculation may be involved in androgenetic alopecia.

A Cross-Sectional Study of Nailfold Capillary Changes in Psoriasis

Background:

Microcirculation in the skin of psoriasis patients significantly differs from unaffected individuals. Vascular changes precede skin lesions and occur even in nonlesional skin.

Aims:

The primary aim of this work was to study the nailfold capillary changes in psoriasis patients, and to compare it with that of controls. The secondary aim of this work was to compare the nailfold capillary changes in psoriasis patients with and without nail changes.

Methods:

A comparative cross-sectional study of 40 psoriasis patients and 40 age and sex-matched controls analyzed the capillaries of the proximal nailfold of all fingers using a dermoscope. The mean capillary loop density/mm, tortuous capillaries, capillary hemorrhages, and avascular areas were assessed.

Results:

The mean nailfold capillary loop density in psoriasis (6.98 ± 0.54 per mm) was significantly less than that in controls (8.01 ± 0.61 per mm) (P < 0.001). Avascular areas in the nailfold of psoriasis patients (55%) were significantly more than the same in controls (22.5%) (P = 0.003). Of 40 psoriasis patients, 26 had nail psoriasis. Of this, 19 (73%) had avascular areas (P = 0.002). No significant association of nailfold capillary density or avascular areas with disease duration or severity was noted. An increase in tortuous capillaries and nailfold hemorrhages noted in psoriasis was not significant.

Limitations:

Small sample size, not having participants with psoriatic arthropathy, and lack of information on capillary diameter and capillary changes in hyponychium were the limitations.

Conclusion:

The reduced mean capillary loop density, and higher frequency of avascular areas noted in cases compared to controls, points to a pathogenic role for microvascular damage in psoriasis. Whether the lack of association of these changes with disease duration and severity suggests the possibility of these being early disease markers for psoriasis, needs further analysis in larger prospective studies.

Use of nailfold video capillaroscopy in polycythemia vera

Objectives

In this study, we aimed to investigate capillary vessel diameters and structural changes of capillaries by using nailfold video capillaroscopy (NVC) in patients with polycythemia vera (PV).

Patients and methods

This cross-sectional study included a total of 24 patients (19 males, 5 females; mean age: 59.8±12.9 years; range, 50.2 to 68 years) who were diagnosed with PV and 15 healthy controls (11 males, 4 females; mean age: 40.7±5.1 years; range, 36 to 44 years) between June 2016 and February 2017. Nailfold video capillaroscopy was performed by an experienced rheumatologist who was blinded to clinical data. The apical, arterial, and venous limb diameters of capillaries were measured and microvascular changes of capillaries were scored.

Results

When capillaries were evaluated in terms of morphological structures, giant capillary was detected in 67% of the patients with PV and 0% in the control group (p<0.05). The arterial, venous, and apical diameters of the capillaries were significantly higher in the patients with PV compared to the control group (p<0.001).

Conclusion

The presence of giant capillaries and the marked increase of arterial, venous, and apical diameters of capillaries seem to be related to PV. As it additionally plays an important role in diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment monitoring of certain diseases, capillaroscopy can be considered to be a promising microcirculation biomarker.

Mikrovaskuläre Pathologien bei Patienten mit Psoriasis vulgaris mittels Nagelfalzkapillarmikroskopie identifiziert: Ergebnisse einer prospektiven kontrollierten Studie

Hintergrund: Die Psoriasis gilt als unabhängiger kardiovaskulärer Risikofaktor und Treiber einer Atherogenese. Mikrovaskuläre Veränderungen in psoriatischen Plaques sind gut beschrieben, wohingegen Veränderungen außerhalb betroffener Hautareale kaum untersucht wurden. In dieser Studie wurden Nagelfalzkapillaren von Psoriasispatienten in nicht betroffener Haut systematisch untersucht. Patienten und Methodik: Prospektive Studie mit Untersuchung von Nagelfalzkapillaren bei Psoriasispatienten im Vergleich zu gesunden Kontrollen mittels digitaler Videokapillarmikroskopie. Es wurden 21 kapillarmikroskopische Parameter bewertet und die Ergebnisse mit Charakteristika der Patienten und der Psoriasiserkrankung, mit Laborparametern und Messungen der Intima-Media-Dicke der Arteria carotis communis korreliert. Ergebnisse: Die 77 Psoriasispatienten (24 mit zusätzlicher Psoriasisarthritis) und 71 Kontrollen zeigten sich hinsichtlich demographischer Merkmale und relevanter Einflussfaktoren für eine Mikroangiopathie ausbalanciert. Im Vergleich zur Kontrollgruppe zeigten Psoriasispatienten eine signifikante Minderung der kapillaren Dichte, häufigere Kapillarerweiterung mit mehr Verzweigungen, Torquierungen und kapillaren Unregelmäßigkeiten. Zusätzlich zeigten Psoriasispatienten signifikant höhere inflammatorische Serummarker und eine gesteigerte Intima-Media-Dicke. In unserem Kollektiv bestand kein Zusammenhang zwischen Krankheitsdauer oder Schweregrad der Psoriasis und spezifischen Kapillarveränderungen. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Nagelfalzkapillaren der untersuchten Psoriasispatienten zeigten ausgeprägte mikrovaskuläre Veränderungen, welche mit erhöhten Markern einer systemischen Entzündung und Frühzeichen einer Atherosklerose korrelierten. Weitere Studien sind erforderlich, um die Rolle der digitalen Videokapillarmikroskopie in der Bewertung des kardiovaskulären Risikos von Psoriasispatienten zu untersuchen.

Nailfold videocapillaroscopy identifies microvascular pathologies in psoriasis vulgaris: Results of a prospective controlled study

BACKGROUND

Psoriasis is considered an independent cardiovascular risk factor, evidentially driving atherosclerosis. However, little is known about changes in the microvasculature of non-lesional skin in psoriasis patients. This study systematically examined capillary pathologies in psoriasis patients by digital video nailfold capillaroscopy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Prospective study comparing nailfold capillaries of psoriasis patients with those of healthy controls. Nailfold capillaries were evaluated for 21 parameters and results were correlated with characteristics of patients and psoriatic disease, laboratory parameters, and measurements of carotid intima-media thickness.

RESULTS

77 psoriasis patients (24 patients with additional psoriatic arthritis) and 71 controls were well-matched for demographic features and for relevant confounding factors causing microangiopathy. In comparison with controls, psoriasis patients showed a significant loss of capillaries, capillary expansion with increased ramifications and tortuosity and capillary irregularities. Moreover, in psoriasis patients we found significantly elevated serum markers of inflammation and significantly increased intima-media-thickness measurements. We found no effect of disease duration nor disease activity on capillary changes.

CONCLUSIONS

Nailfold capillaries of psoriasis patients showed marked microvascular abnormalities accompanied by increased markers of systemic inflammation and atherosclerosis. Prospective cohort studies are needed to assess the role of nailfold capillaroscopy for predicting the cardiovascular risk of psoriasis patients.

Nail-fold capillaroscopy for the dermatologists

Nail fold is one of the most accessible sites for studying changes in the microcirculation in various microangiopathies. The characterization of changes in microvasculature can provide useful clues towards the diagnosis and prognosis of a disease. The diagnostic utility of nail fold capillaroscopy has improved and expanded over the past couple of decades. Beyond connective tissue diseases, it is now explored for its role in various systemic and dermatological diseases. Incorporation of nail-fold capillaroscopy in the diagnostic criteria of systemic sclerosis has generated interest among dermatologists. The current review is aimed at providing knowledge about nail-fold capillaroscopy to dermatologists. For the purpose of review, a PubMed search was done using the keywords "nail fold capillaries" and "nail fold capillaroscopy". All the articles were retrieved and classified into reviews and clinical studies of various types. The final data were then analyzed and presented in a narrative fashion.

Evaluation of demodicosis, nailfold capillaroscopy, and oxidative stress in rosacea: a case-control study

Introduction

Inflammation, immune system disorders, Demodex infestation, neurovascular dysregulation and oxidative stress are thought to be contributory factors in the pathogenesis of rosacea.

Aim

To evaluate the presence of Demodex mites, the morphologic features of the nailfold capillaries, and the systemic oxidative stress status in patients with rosacea.

Material and methods

Thirty-one patients diagnosed with rosacea and 37 healthy age- and gender-matched subjects were included in this prospective case-control study. The presence of Demodex infestation, the findings of nailfold capillaroscopy (NFC), and the status of systemic oxidative stress measured by total oxidant capacity (TOC), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and oxidative stress index (OSI) were evaluated.

Results

Demodex infestation rates were significantly higher in rosacea patients than in controls (p = 0.001). Increases in the diameters of the capillaries and the presence of avascular areas and crossing and abnormal structures were significantly more common in rosacea patients than in the healthy controls (p < 0.01, p = 0.016, p = 0.02, p < 0.001, respectively), and hairpin structures were significantly less common in rosacea patients than in the controls (p < 0.001). The presence of crossing capillaries was positively correlated with higher TOC levels (p = 0.05), while abnormal structures were found to be correlated with lower levels of TAC (p = 0.045).

Conclusions

Oxidative status and NFC may play diagnostic and prognostic roles in rosacea, which should be confirmed by studies with larger sample sizes.

Novel application of optical coherence tomography and capillaroscopy in psoriatic arthritis in relationship to psoriasis and hand osteoarthritis

Objectives

Nailfold video capillaroscopy (NVC) and angiographic optical coherence tomography (OCTA) have potential in diagnosing PsA and differentiating it from psoriasis vulgaris (PsO) and hand OA. We aimed to assess the diagnostic properties of NVC and OCTA in patients with PsA compared with patients with PsO and hand OA based on nailfold capillary patterns.

Methods

Patients with DIP joint PsA and nail involvement (n = 50), PsO with nail involvement (n = 12) and OA (n = 13) were included in this cross-sectional study. Capillaries were evaluated semi-quantitatively and qualitatively. Differences in capillary findings between groups were assessed using mixed linear models. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the probability for PsA diagnosis based on capillaroscopy findings.

Results

Below mean capillary density and reduced nailfold blood flow in OCTA images distinguished PsA from both PsO (P = 0.004 and P = 0.052, respectively) and OA (P = 0.024 and P < 0.001, respectively). Qualitative analysis revealed that glomerular capillaries were found in only 3% of PsA patients but in 13% of PsO patients (P = 0.003). Furthermore, crossed vessels were seen in only 55% of PsA patients and 71% of PsO patients (P = 0.043). NVC microhaemorrhage was dominant in PsA patients (13%) and significantly different from OA patients (P <0.05). No capillary pattern was associated with an increased probability of the PsA diagnosis.

Conclusion

A pathognomonic pattern for PsA diagnosis was not identified; however, we demonstrated some characteristic capillaroscopy findings for PsA, such as decreased capillary density, reduced blood flow and fewer crossed vessels in OCTA and presence of NVC microhaemorrhages.

Nailfold capillaroscopy in systemic diseases: short overview for internal medicine

Nailfold capillaroscopy (NFC) is now one of the main imaging tools in systemic sclerosis and imposed over time as an easy, non-invasive method for the nailfold microvascular bed assessment. In qualitative NFC normal pattern is characterized by homogeneous, parallel fashion arrangement of the last capillaries row as well as by capillaries with hairpin or non-specific variations like tortuous and/ or crossing shape. Nailfold capillaroscopy is strongly recommended for evaluation of all patients with Raynaud phenomenon. Appearance of giant capillaries is chronologically the first relevant finding for scleroderma spectrum disorders development (systemic sclerosis, dermatomyositis, undifferentiated and mixed connective tissue disease). Collapses of the giant loops generate microhemorrhages and further capillary loss with subsequent hypoxia, and neoangiogenesis seen as ramified/ bushy capillaries. Nailfold capillaroscopy is indicated especially in systemic sclerosis, being also included in the classification criteria. Based on these major NFC pathologic findings (giant capillaries, microhemorrhages, avascularity and neoangiogenesis), three evolutive stages were described in systemic sclerosis, namely the early, active, and late scleroderma pattern. In other connective tissue diseases than those scleroderma-related, like systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriatic arthritis, or antiphospholipid syndrome, the interest for capillaroscopy is growing, but the attempts of defining specific characteristics failed until now. Besides qualitative NFC, semiquantitative and quantitative capillaroscopic assessments were proposed for more accurate evaluation. Lately, automated systems are under development. There is still need of more studies to sustain the nailfold capillaroscopy validity as diagnostic and prognostic test.

Ultrasonographic and resistance index evaluation of nails in psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis, and control groups: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Nail psoriasis occurs frequently in patients with psoriatic disease, it can lead to functional impairment, pain, discomfort, decreased quality of life and can also be a predictor for the development of arthritis. Early recognition of this condition can provide early and effective treatment and prevent structural impairment. This study aims to identify nail ultrasonographic characteristics in three groups: psoriasis (PsO), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and controls patients, to determine if the ultrasonography (US) can identify early signs of nail psoriatic impairment or local inflammation. We conducted nail US to determine nail matrix resistance index (NMRI), nail bed resistance index (NBRI), and power Doppler (PD) and grayscale (GS) parameters in these 3 groups.

METHODS

Single-center, cross-sectional study. GS, PD, and spectral doppler images of bilateral 2nd and 3rd fingernails were acquired from 35 PsO, 31 PsA, and 35 controls patients. An US equipment with an 18 MHz linear transducer for GS and 8.0 MHz for PD was used. PD, NMRI, NBRI, nail plate thickness (NPT), nail bed thickness (NBT), nail matrix thickness (NMT), and morphostructural characteristics of the trilaminar structure (TS) were evaluated in saved images, blind.

RESULTS

Mean NMRI and NBRI did not differ between groups. Linear regression analysis detected no relationships between PsO or PsA and NMRI or NBRI. Nail PD grade did not differ between groups. Type I and IV TS changes were more frequent in PsO; types II and III changes were more frequent in PsA (p < 0.001). NPT was greater in PsA and PsO groups than controls: PsA 0.73 ± 0.14 mm, PsO 0.72 ± 0.15 mm, Controls 0.67 ± 0.10 mm (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Echographic TS characteristics of the nail plate and NPT evaluated by GS are useful and can distinguish PsO and PsA nails from controls. NMRI, NBRI, and US nail microcirculation parameters could not distinguish psoriatic nails.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

72762317.4.0000.5327 (Certificate of Presentation of Ethical Appreciation - CAAE - Plataforma Brasil) Avaiable in  https://plataformabrasil.saude.gov.br/login.jsf .

Nailfold capillaroscopy in psoriasis

Background

Psoriasis a chronic inflammatory skin disease manifests with microcirculatory changes within skin which may precede skin manifestations, correlate with their severity, joint involvement and resolve with treatment. Nailfold capillaroscopy (NFC) is used in rheumatology for connective tissue disorder assessment and is assuming significance in psoriasis. The aim was to study the nailfold capillaroscopic findings in patients with psoriasis.

Methods

A cross-sectional observational study was carried out at a skin center of a tertiary care hospital from January 2016 to June 2017. Selected cases underwent NFC using a portable color capillaroscope with an attached computer with software to analyze the nailfold capillaries for morphological parameters and abnormalities. Independent-samples t test and chi-square test was used to analyze the relationships between variables.

Results

Mean capillary loop density in 96% of study population was subnormal (<9 capillaries/mm), mean arterial limb diameter 11.37 ± 2.434μ; mean venous limb diameter 15.89 ± 3.131μ, top of the loop diameter 14.41 ± 4.373μ and length of the loop was 152.51 ± 57.21μ. Only 3 had length of loop >300μ. Bizarre morphology was seen in 15.5% of capillaries (p value < 0.001). Crossed loops/tortuous capillaries were seen in 17.3% of patients (p value < 0.001). Ramified capillaries were seen in 9.1% of patients with psoriasis (p value < 0.001). Other abnormalities observed were hemorrhage, avascular areas and subpapillary plexus. Widespread disease and psoriatic arthritis (18.2%) had irregular and haphazard distribution of capillaries (p value < 0.001). Analysis of Psoriasis Area Severity Index score, age of the patient and NFC did not reveal any statistically significant relationship.

Conclusions

Nailfold capillaroscopy (NFC), a non invasive imaging technique for microcirculation evaluation can serve to prognosticate and follow up patirents with psoriasis as a simple and highly reproducible tool. Nailfold capillaroscopy is a simple and an easy method to study the microvascular abnormalities in psoriasis. Findings correlate with disease severity. It can be used for follow-up as a predictor of disease worsening or response to treatment.

The "green nail" phenomenon in ICG-enhanced fluorescence optical imaging - a potential tool for the differential diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Early diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis poses a particular challenge. A novel fluorescence optical imaging technique, the Xiralite® system is very useful in this regard as it allows for visualization of microvasculature and perfusion. The present study is the first to systematically examine fluorescence optical signals in a large psoriatic arthritis cohort.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In the primary study, we reviewed and analyzed extra-articular fluorescence optical signal patterns in 241 imaging sequences obtained from 187 psoriatic arthritis patients; 36 fluorescence optical sequences from 31 patients with rheumatoid arthritis served as controls. In a follow-up study, 203 consecutive fluorescence optical sequences from 54 psoriatic arthritis patients and 149 control subjects with various inflammatory rheumatic disorders were retrospectively evaluated in order to validate the primary study results in terms of the patterns previously identified.

RESULTS

Psoriatic arthritis patients exhibited three different fluorescence optical signal patterns in projection of the nails that have not been previously described. One of these patterns was the "green nail" sign, which was highly specific (97 %) for psoriatic arthritis. In the follow-up study, the specificity of this phenomenon in psoriatic arthritis was 87 % in comparison to the control cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

In the present study, fluorescence optical signals in the nail region proved to be highly specific for psoriatic arthritis. The "green nail" phenomenon seems to be of particular diagnostic interest as a potential sign of impaired microcirculation of the nail bed.

The evaluation of nailfold videocapillaroscopy findings in patients with type 2 diabetes with and without diabetic retinopathy

OBJECTIVE:

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic hyperglycemic state and is associated with microvascular structural alterations. This study aimed to investigate the diameters of capillary loops and morphostructural changes using nailfold video capillaroscopy (NVC) in patients with type 2 DM with and without diabetic retinopathy (DR).

METHODS:

This cross-sectional, single-center study was conducted in patients with type 2 DM who were followed in outpatient clinics of ophthalmology and internal medicine. General demographic data were collected from patients. An ophthalmologist examined all patients in terms of DR. A rheumatologist blinded to the clinical data performed NVC. The diameters of apical, arterial, and venous loop of capillaries were measured, and the microvascular changes of capillaries were scored.

RESULTS:

In this study, 44 patients with type 2 DM with DR (47.7% males) and 20 patients with type 2 DM without DR (55% males) were included. In our study, patients with type 2 DM with DR had more frequent capillary hemorrhage, more frequent ectasia, more frequent giant capillary, and more frequent neo-angiogenesis than patients with type 2 DM without DR. However, these findings were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION:

Further controlled studies with large sample size are needed to determine the characteristic NVC findings of DR in patients with type 2 DM.

Evaluation of capillary pathologies by nailfold capillaroscopy in patients with psoriasis vulgaris: study protocol for a prospective, controlled exploratory study

INTRODUCTION

Psoriasis vulgaris was shown to be an independent factor increasing the risk of several comorbidities such as obesity, diabetes and dyslipidaemia with an increased risk of stroke and myocardial infarction. We hypothesise that early endothelial dysfunction, which plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, may be detected by digital video nailfold capillaroscopy (DVNC) at the level of the dermal capillary microvasculature as a surrogate parameter. Nailfolds represent the only body site allowing for a non-invasive assessment of the capillary microvasculature at a horizontal plane. DVNC is a well-established diagnostic tool for in vivo assessment of the peripheral microcirculation by evaluating the morphology of dermal papillary capillaries. To date, reports on morphological changes of the non-lesional nailfold capillaries in patients with psoriasis vulgaris are scarce and the existing data are not conclusive.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This is a prospective, single-centre, non-randomised, controlled, exploratory study assessing the capillary patterns in 100 subjects affected by psoriasis vulgaris. Non-lesional nailfold capillaries will be imaged by means of DVNC (Optilia Digital Capillaroscopy System, Optilia Instruments AB, Sollentuna, Sweden) in 50 patients affected by psoriasis vulgaris and 50 healthy controls. Assessments will include a qualitative, descriptive analysis of the nailfold capillaries' morphology, as well as a quantitative investigation (frequency, extent) of changes in capillary patterns. Moreover, patients' characteristics associated with the manifestation of nailfold capillaries' pathologies including well-known cardiovascular risk markers will be studied.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval was provided by the ethic committee of the medical faculty of the University of Heidelberg (Ethics approval number S-447/2017). The design and the final results of the study will be published and made available to the public.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

DRKS00012856.

Nail involvement in adult patients with plaque-type psoriasis: prevalence and clinical features

BACKGROUND

Psoriasis is a disease of worldwide distribution with a prevalence of 1 to 3%. Nail psoriasis is estimated in 50% of patients with psoriasis, and in the presence of joint involvement, it can reach 80%.

OBJECTIVE

To study the nail changes - and their clinical implications - presented by patients with psoriasis vulgaris under surveillance in a university hospital from the south of Brazil.

METHODS

his cross-sectional study evaluated 65 adult patients from January 2012 to March 2013. Cutaneous severity was assessed according to the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). The Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI) was used to evaluate patient's nails. The diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis was established according to the Classification Criteria for Psoriatic Arthritis (CASPAR).

RESULTS

The prevalence of NP was 46.1%. These patients had a median [interquartilic range (IQR)] NAPSI of 1 (0-15). A total of 63.3% of patients reported aesthetic discomfort or functional impairment related to their nails. Onycholysis was the most common feature (80%). When compared with patients without nail involvement, patients with NP had lower mean age at psoriasis onset [21 (18-41) vs. 43 (30-56) years, p=0,001]; longer disease duration [15.5 (10-24) vs. 6 (2-12) years, p=0.001]; higher PASI [9.2 (5-17) vs. 3.7 (2-10), p=0.044], higher frequency of psoriatic arthritis (43.3 vs. 3.7, p = 0.002) and more often reported family history of psoriasis (40% vs. 7.4%, p = 0.011).

CONCLUSION

Onycholysis was the most frequent finding and most patients feel uncomfortable with the psoriatic nail changes that they experience.

Optimal management of nail disease in patients with psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common skin disease, with nail involvement in approximately 80% of patients. Nail psoriasis is often associated with psoriatic arthropathy. Involvement of the nails does not always have relationship with the type, gravity, extension, or duration of skin psoriasis. Nail psoriasis can occur at any age and all parts of the nails and the surrounding structures can be affected. Two clinical patterns of nail manifestations have been seen due to psoriasis: nail matrix involvement or nail bed involvement. In the first case, irregular and deep pitting, red spots of the lunula, crumbling, and leukonychia are seen; in the second case, salmon patches, onycholysis with erythematous border, subungual hyperkeratosis, and splinter hemorrhages are observed. These clinical features are more visible in fingernails than in toenails, where nail abnormalities are not diagnostic and are usually clinically indistinguishable from other conditions, especially onychomycosis. Nail psoriasis causes, above all, psychosocial and aesthetic problems, but many patients often complain about functional damage. Diagnosis of nail psoriasis is clinical and histopathology is necessary only in selected cases. Nail psoriasis has an unpredictable course but, in most cases, the disease is chronic and complete remissions are uncommon. Sun exposure does not usually improve and may even worsen nail psoriasis. There are no curative treatments. Treatment of nail psoriasis includes different types of medications, from topical therapy to systemic therapy, according to the severity and extension of the disease. Moreover, we should not underestimate the use of biological agents and new therapy with lasers or iontophoresis. This review offers an investigation of the different treatment options for nail psoriasis and the optimal management of nail disease in patients with psoriasis.

Nail psoriasis: a review of the literature

Nails are considered epidermal appendages, and as such, are commonly affected in patients with psoriasis, 80% of whom are likely to develop nail psoriasis as a result of their condition. Two patterns of nail disorders have been shown to be caused by psoriasis. Nail matrix involvement can result in features such as leukonychia, pitting (punctures or cupuliform depressions), red spots in the lunula and crumbling. Nail bed involvement, on the other hand, can cause onycholysis, salmon or oil-drop patches, subungual hyperkeratosis and splinter hemorrhages. Nail disease causes aesthetic and functional impairment, and is indicative of more severe forms of psoriasis as well as of joint involvement. The treatment for nail psoriasis involves behavioral interventions, topical medications, or systemic therapy in case of extensive skin or joint involvement. This article presents a review of the main features of nail psoriasis, its clinical presentation, diagnostic and assessment methods, clinical repercussions, and of its available treatment options.

Nail psoriasis: the journey so far

Nail involvement is an extremely common feature of psoriasis and affects approximately 10-78% of psoriasis patients with 5-10% of patients having isolated nail psoriasis. However, it is often an overlooked feature in the management of nail psoriasis, despite the significant burden it places on the patients as a result of functional impairment of manual dexterity, pain, and psychological stress. Affected nail plates often thicken and crumble, and because they are very visible, patients tend to avoid normal day-to-day activities and social interactions. Importantly, 70-80% of patients with psoriatic arthritis have nail psoriasis. In this overview, we review the clinical manifestations of psoriasis affecting the nails, the common differential diagnosis of nail psoriasis, Nail Psoriasis Severity Index and the various diagnostic aids for diagnosing nail psoriasis especially, the cases with isolated nail involvement. We have also discussed the available treatment options, including the topical, physical, systemic, and biological modalities, in great detail in order to equip the present day dermatologist in dealing with a big clinical challenge, that is, management of nail psoriasis.