title: State of the art on nailfold capillaroscopy: a reliable diagnostic tool and putative biomarker in rheumatology?
abstract: Capillaroscopy is a non-invasive and safe tool to morphologically study the microcirculation. In rheumatology it has a dual use. First, it has a role in differential diagnosis of patients with RP. Second, it may have a role in the prediction of clinical complications in CTDs. In SSc, pilot studies have shown predictive associations with peripheral vascular and lung involvement hinting at a role of capillaroscopy as putative biomarker. Also and logically, in SSc, microangiopathy, as assessed by capillaroscopy, has been associated with markers of the disease such as angiogenic/static factors and SSc-specific antibodies. Moreover, morphological assessments of the microcirculation (capillaroscopy) seem to correlate with functional assessments (such as laser Doppler). Because of its clinical and research role, eyes are geared in Europe to expand the knowledge of this tool. Both the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and the ACR are stepping forward to this need.
authors.affiliation: Research Laboratory and Academic Unit of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, No. 6, 16132 Genova, Italy. mcutolo@unige.it.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cutolo
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000502:physiology; D020678:Microscopic Angioscopy / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D009262:Nails / Q000098:blood supply*; D011379:Prognosis; D011928:Raynaud Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: EULAR; Raynaud's phenomenon; capillaroscopy; classification criteria; clinical complications; connective tissue diseases; differential diagnosis; microcirculation; systemic sclerosis