Characteristics and clinical significance of nailfold capillaroscopy in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus / 中华风湿病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To summarize the characteristics of nailfold capillaroscopy (NC) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and explore its clinical significance.Methods:NC examination was performed in 162 SLE patients. The clinical data of SLE patients was collected. Tianniu NC scoring standard was used. The t test was applied to analyze the measurement data, the χ2 test was applied to analyze the counting data. the Pearson or Spearman test was used to evaluate the correlative factors of NC in patients with SLE. Results:NC abnormalities were seen in 87.7%(142/162) of SLE patients, and the incidence of mild, moderate and severe abnormalities was 29.0%(47 cases), 45.1%(73 cases) and 13.6%(22 cases) respectively. The most common NC abnormal manifestation in SLE patients was decreased blood flow velocity (86.4%). In patients with moderate to severe NC abnormalities, the proportions of patients with Raynaud's phenomenon (37.9% vs 23.9%, χ2=2.955, P=0.043) and interstitial lung disease (8.0% vs 0, χ2=5.213, P=0.023), and the level of D-Dimer [(1 992±2 279) μg/L vs (1 248±1 721) μg/L, t=-1.624, P=0.013] were significantly higher than those in the groups with normal/mild NC abnormalities. Correlation analysis demonstrated that Raynaud's phenomena, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hypertension and D-Dimer were positively correlated with the NC abnormality. Conclusion:NC abnormalities are common in SLE patients. Decreased blood flow velocity is the most frequent manifestation. SLE patients with moderate to severe NC abnormalities should be actively screened for pulmonary hypertension and interstitial lung disease.