[Capillaroscopy in the diagnosis of systemic sclerosis]

Abstract

Capillaroscopy is a safe, simple, non-invasive, low-cost analysis of the nailfold circulation. Vascular lesions play a significant role in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis. It has been shown that a characteristic microangiopathy, so-called "scleroderma pattern capillary abnormalities", --are present in the majority of patients with systemic sclerosis and already appear in the early stage of the disease. Due to this fact, capillarosopy is considered a practical tool for diagnosing and monitoring patients with systemic sclerosis. Capillaroscopy can help in the selection of patients that need more aggressive therapeutic interventions. Recently, the presence of typical capillaroscopic abnormalities has been suggested as one of the minor criteria for the early diagnosis and classification of systemic sclerosis. The present study presents the role of capillaroscopy in the management of patients with systemic sclerosis.