Nailfold capillaroscopic findings in primary Sjögren's syndrome with and without Raynaud's phenomenon and/or positive anti-SSA/Ro and anti-SSB/La antibodies

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess nailfold capillaroscopic (NC) findings in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (PSS) with and without Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) as well as in the presence of positive anti-SSA/Ro and anti-SSB/La antibodies. Videocapillaroscopy was performed in 150 patients with PSS. Data collected included demographics, presence of RP, PSS symptoms, antinuclear antibodies, rheumatoid factor, anti-Ro, anti-La, anti-CCP, salivary scintigraphy, labial biopsy, and NC findings. RP was present in 32% of PSS, keratoconjunctivitis sicca in 91%, oral xerosis in 93%, and skin or genital xerosis in 53%. In patients with positive anti-SSA/Ro (75%) and positive anti-SSB/La (40%), NC showed normal findings in 53% of cases and non-specific in 36%. In patients with PSS, NC was normal in 51% of cases and non-specific in 34%. Scleroderma pattern was found in 14 patients. RP associated with PSS had non-specific capillaroscopy in 40% of cases (p = 0.1). Pericapillary haemorrhages (p = 0.06) and capillary thrombosis (p = 0.2) were not increased, but more dilated capillaries were detected in 48% of cases. Patients with positive anti-Ro and/or anti-La have not a distinct NC profile. Patients with RP associated with PSS had more dilated capillaries, but neither pericapillary haemorrhages nor capillary thrombosis was observed.

Keywords: Antibodies, antinuclear; Connective tissue diseases; Microscopic angioscopy; Raynaud’s disease; Sjögren’s syndrome; Systemic sclerosis.