[Periungual capillaroscopy in rheumatoid arthritis. Prospective study of 80 cases].
This study involved the screening for dermal microcirculatory abnormalities using periungueal capillaroscopy in a group of 80 cases of rheumatoid arthritis, so-defined in terms of ARA criteria. Excessive erythrocyte aggregation and/or pericapillary edema were detected in 74% of cases and were statistically correlated with ESR, reflecting an inflammatory syndrome. Capillary neogenesis, probably in reaction to subclinical cutaneous vascularity, was detected in 59% of cases (86% of subjects presenting extra-articular rheumatism). In 28% of cases this was accompanied by spontaneous hemorrhage, suggesting a progressive condition. Stigmata of cutaneous atrophy were present in 54% of subjects. These findings demonstrate the frequency of subclinical cutaneous damage in rheumatoid disease and suggest the possibility of the clinical usefulness of capillaroscopy, a non-invasive technic, in the follow-up of this disease.
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications*; D002196:Capillaries; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009262:Nails / Q000098:blood supply; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000175:diagnosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000175:diagnosis*
La capillaroscopie périunguéale dans la polyarthrite rhumatoïde. Etude prospective de 80 cas.