title: Changes in cutaneous microcirculation, hemorrheology and platelet aggregation function in dermatomyositis.
abstract: Marked disturbance of microcirculation was observed in 85 cases of dermatomyositis: decrease in number and irregular pattern of the capillaries, many being tortuous and dilated and having a slow and granular blood stream, as well as an increase of vascular permeability. The changes were more marked in cases with visceral disorders, or in active disease; however, there was no correlation between these changes and the duration of illness. Blood hyperviscosity was found in an hemorrheological study. The cause is considered to be due to high plasma viscosity, high fibrinogen levels, and increase of aggregation of erythrocytes and platelets. Modulation of microcirculation is advisable in the treatment of dermatomyositis.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dermatology, Shanghai Medical University, China.
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Luo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D002648:Child; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000502:physiology; D012212:Rheology; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply*