Barbara Ruaro1, Alberto Sulli2, Andrea Casabella2, Carmen Pizzorni2, Sabrina Paolino2, Vanessa Smith3,4,5, Maurizio Cutolo2. 1. Unit of Pulmonology, University Hospital of Trieste,Trieste, Italy. 2. Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, San Martino Polyclinic Hospital, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy. 3. Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium. 4. Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. 5. Unit for Molecular Immunology and Inflammation, VIB Inflammation Research Center (IRC), Ghent, Belgium.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate blood perfusion (BP) in various cutaneous regions of the hands and face in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and primary Raynaud's phenomenon (PRP) and healthy subjects (HS). METHODS: A total of 20 patients with SLE, 20 patients with PRP, and 20 HS were enrolled. BP was detected by laser speckle contrast analysis in different regions of the hand and at the facial level. The absolute nailfold capillary number (CN) was assessed by nailfold videocapillaroscopy. RESULTS: Patients with SLE and PRP had significantly lower BP levels than those of HS in 3 hand areas (fingertip, palm, and periungual; p<0.01). However, the SLE, PRP, and HS groups had comparable BP values at the hand dorsum and face. The BP and CN values revealed a positive correlation in the periungual, fingertip, and palm of hands (p<0.01), only in patients with SLE. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrated a correlation between functional and morphological microvascular impairment in patients with SLE.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate blood perfusion (BP) in various cutaneous regions of the hands and face in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and primary Raynaud's phenomenon (PRP) and healthy subjects (HS). METHODS: A total of 20 patients with SLE, 20 patients with PRP, and 20 HS were enrolled. BP was detected by laser speckle contrast analysis in different regions of the hand and at the facial level. The absolute nailfold capillary number (CN) was assessed by nailfold videocapillaroscopy. RESULTS:Patients with SLE and PRP had significantly lower BP levels than those of HS in 3 hand areas (fingertip, palm, and periungual; p<0.01). However, the SLE, PRP, and HS groups had comparable BP values at the hand dorsum and face. The BP and CN values revealed a positive correlation in the periungual, fingertip, and palm of hands (p<0.01), only in patients with SLE. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrated a correlation between functional and morphological microvascular impairment in patients with SLE.