Barbara Ruaro1, Alberto Sulli1, Vanessa Smith2, Sabrina Paolino1, Carmen Pizzorni1, Maurizio Cutolo3. 1. Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, IRCCS A.O.U. San Martino-IST, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy. 2. Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. 3. Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, IRCCS A.O.U. San Martino-IST, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy. Electronic address: mcutolo@unige.it.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To monitor in systemic sclerosis (SSc) the evolution of digital ulcer (DU) status by analysing blood perfusion (BP) using laser speckle contrast analysis (LASCA). METHODS: Hand BP was recorded by LASCA in twenty SSc patients with recent onset fingertip DUs before and after 10days of local/systemic treatment. Regions of interest (ROIs) to analyse BP were created al the level of ulcer, peri-ulcer, periungual and fingertip areas. Visual analogue pain scale (VAS) was also administered to patients before and after follow-up. RESULTS: A statistically significant increase of BP was observed from T0 to T1 in the ROIs created at the level of the ulcer area (p<0.0001), as well as a significant decrease of BP was observed in the peri-ulcer area (p<0.0001). A statistically significant decrease of both ulcer size (p<0.0001) and VAS (p=0.001) was observed, whereas no significant variation of both periungual and fingertip BP was detected. CONCLUSIONS: LASCA may safely monitor DU evolution in SSc patients, by evaluating its blood perfusion and area during standard treatment. This may be useful to monitor DU evolution during treatment in clinical trials.
OBJECTIVE: To monitor in systemic sclerosis (SSc) the evolution of digital ulcer (DU) status by analysing blood perfusion (BP) using laser speckle contrast analysis (LASCA). METHODS: Hand BP was recorded by LASCA in twenty SSc patients with recent onset fingertip DUs before and after 10days of local/systemic treatment. Regions of interest (ROIs) to analyse BP were created al the level of ulcer, peri-ulcer, periungual and fingertip areas. Visual analogue pain scale (VAS) was also administered to patients before and after follow-up. RESULTS: A statistically significant increase of BP was observed from T0 to T1 in the ROIs created at the level of the ulcer area (p<0.0001), as well as a significant decrease of BP was observed in the peri-ulcer area (p<0.0001). A statistically significant decrease of both ulcer size (p<0.0001) and VAS (p=0.001) was observed, whereas no significant variation of both periungual and fingertip BP was detected. CONCLUSIONS: LASCA may safely monitor DU evolution in SSc patients, by evaluating its blood perfusion and area during standard treatment. This may be useful to monitor DU evolution during treatment in clinical trials.
Authors: M Hughes; T Moore; J Manning; J Wilkinson; G Dinsdale; C Roberts; A Murray; A L Herrick Journal: Microvasc Res Date: 2016-12-24 Impact factor: 3.514
Authors: M Hughes; T Moore; J Manning; J Wilkinson; S Watson; P Samraj; G Dinsdale; C Roberts; L E Rhodes; A L Herrick; A Murray Journal: J Dermatolog Treat Date: 2018-07-31 Impact factor: 3.359
Authors: Elizabeth Marjanovic; Tonia L Moore; Joanne B Manning; Graham Dinsdale; Sarah Wilkinson; Mark R Dickinson; Ariane L Herrick; Andrea K Murray Journal: Rheumatology (Oxford) Date: 2020-11-01 Impact factor: 7.580