Abstract

Background

Capillaroscopy is a non-invasive technique which allows direct, in vivo imaging of skin microcirculation to detect microvascular abnormalities. An important association of psoriasis is metabolic syndrome, with a prevalence of 40% in psoriatic patients. Metabolic syndrome is a multiplex risk factor that arises from insulin resistance accompanying abnormal adipose deposition and function. Patients with metabolic syndrome have an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerosis.

Aim of the Work

Describe the morphology, frequency and extent of nailfold capillary changes in psoriatic patients and identify patients’ characteristics possibly associated with such changes. Study if nail capillaroscopy can detect early endothelial dysfunction, occurring in psoriasis patients with metabolic syndrome, at the level of the dermal capillary microvasculature.

Settings and Design

cross‐sectional study

Materials and Methods

Sixty five psoriasis patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of metabolic syndrome. Naill capillaroscopy was done and compared between both groups.

Results

Psoriatic patients with metabolic syndrome showed significant differences in nail capillarascopy findings compared to those without metabolic syndrome, reflecting the greater endothelial dysfunction.

Conclusion

nail capillaroscopy can be a very important tool in detecting early endothelial dysfunction in psoriatic patients manifested by edema and tortuous capillaries. Moreover, it can reflect the degree of vascular compromise allowing proper identification of patients at high risk for cardiovascular events, which warrants aggressive early treatment

This content is only available as a PDF.
This article is published and distributed under the terms of the Oxford University Press, Standard Journals Publication Model (https://dbpia.nl.go.kr/pages/standard-publication-reuse-rights)
You do not currently have access to this article.