Peripheral and ocular microvascular alterations in systemic sclerosis: observations from capillaroscopic assessments, perfusion peripheral analysis, and optical coherence tomography angiography

• DOI: 10.1007/s00296-023-05495-z
• Publication Date: 2023-11-17T20:01:56Z
• Authors: Carlo Alberto Cutolo; Andrea Cere; Paola Toma; Tommaso Cannavacc...; Chiara Toma; Serena Balito; Veronica Gerli; Vanessa Smith; Alberto Sulli; Sabrina Paolino; Emanuele Gotelli; Carlo Enrico Trav...; Massimo Nicolò; Maurizio Cutolo; Elvis Hysa
• Keywords: Observational Research; 3. Good health

Abstract To investigate the correlations between finger microvascular morphology and function in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) status of ocular microcirculation, as detected by nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC), laser speckle contrast analysis (LASCA), optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). The enrollment included 32 SSc patients, classified according to 2013 ACR/EULAR criteria, 27 sex- age-matched healthy controls. participants underwent comprehensive rheumatological ophthalmological examinations, well NVC, LASCA, OCTA on same day at a single center from March October 2022. receiving intravenous prostanoids cycles were assessed least 1 month after infusion. Statistical was conducted using Stata® 15.1. Significant direct observed mean capillary number (at NVC) perfusion fingers LASCA) retinal choroidal OCTA) (all p < 0.05). In addition, significantly reduced vs controls Interestingly, diffuse cutaneous (dcSSc) exhibited lower ( = 0.03) but an increased thickness (CT) than limited 0.001). CT also positive Scl70 antibodies history digital ulcers directly correlating disease duration r 0.67, Finally, combination LASCA parameters showed significant discrimination capacity controls, area under curve 0.80 [95% CI (0.74, 0.87)]. Peripheral damage is correlated impaired microcirculation SSc. dcSSc may be related local sub-endothelial extracellular matrix deposition. combined fingertip offers preliminary insights that complement traditional diagnostic methods for