[Periungual capillaroscopy in psoriatic arthritis].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study is the evaluation of the microcirculation trough periungueal capillaroscopy in patients suffering from psoriatic arthritis.


METHODS
Eighteen patients (mean age 44 years, nine males and nine females) were examined according to the different clinical forms (spondylitic, mutilans, simil-rheumatoid, onyco-arthritis, oligo-articular) of the disease.


RESULTS
In most of the patients, the exam showed a reduction in ansas' density and in capillary length and calibre as well as interstitial edema and expansion of the ansa venular portion with coiling and kinking, demonstrating the re-organization of the veins and the neo-angiogenesis. Avascular areas and microaneurysm have been found only in the "mutilans" form. In the "simil-rheumatoid" form, ansa reduced in length and calibre have been observed at capillaroscopy, a pattern different from that reported by others, in rheumatoid arthritis (characterized by thin but lengthened ansa). In the "spondylitic" form, the video-microscopical pattern was negative.


CONCLUSIONS
This study is still ongoing in order to evaluate the results in a more representative sample.
Sallì
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L
Università degli Studi di Palermo, Dipartimento di Discipline Chirurgiche, Anatomiche ed Oncologiche, Italia.
Raimondi
F
F
Pappalardo
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000473:pathology*; D002196:Capillaries / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020678:Microscopic Angioscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009262:Nails / Q000098:blood supply*