title: Nailfold Capillaroscopy and Clinical Applications in Systemic Sclerosis.
abstract: Capillary microscopy is a safe and non-invasive tool to evaluate the morphology of the microcirculation typically affected in SSc. Next to being paramount for the "(very) early" diagnosis of SSc eyes are also geared toward capillaroscopy with the aim to be able to use it as a biomarker, especially in the prediction of future occurrence of DU. The following review will explain what capillary microscopy is and will focus additionally on studies evaluating the association between capillaroscopy and DU.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.|Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Kristof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Thevissen
authors.affiliation: Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Amelia C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Trombetta
authors.affiliation: Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pizzorni
authors.affiliation: Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ruaro
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Piette
authors.affiliation: Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paolino
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.|Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Filip
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Keyser
authors.affiliation: Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sulli
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Melsens
authors.affiliation: Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cutolo
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers; D006801:Humans; D008833:Microcirculation; D020678:Microscopic Angioscopy / Q000379:methods*; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: Raynaud's phenomenon; biomarker; capillaroscopy; digital trophic lesions; qualitative/quantitative assessment; systemic sclerosis