Capillaroscopic analysis of the microvascular status in mixed versus undifferentiated connective tissue disease

• Published in: Microvascular research 2022-07, Vol.142, p.104367-104367, Article 104367
• Main Authors: Pizzorni, Carmen, Ferrari, Giorgia, Schenone, Carlotta, Hysa, Elvis, Carmisciano, Luca, Gotelli, Emanuele, Pacini, Greta, Sulli, Alberto, Paolino, Sabrina, Smith, Vanessa, Cutolo, Maurizio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Autoantibodies; Microvascular damage; Mixed connective tissue disease; Nailfold capillaroscopy; Primary Raynaud phenomenon; Undifferentiated connective tissue disease
• ISSN: 0026-2862; 1095-9319
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mvr.2022.104367

Raynaud phenomenon (RP), typically, precede the clinical onset of systemic manifestations in several connective tissue diseases (CTDs). These autoimmune disorders usually share a microvascular damage whose alterations can be detected by nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC). The aim of the study was to compare the NVC microvascular status in Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) versus the Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease (UCTD), and to search correlations between NVC findings and specific autoantibodies in UCTD patients. Clinical data and NCV patterns were retrospectively obtained from the files of 46 MCTD patients, 47 stable UCTD patients and 51 individuals with primary RP (PRP) as controls collected in a central database (VideoCap®, DS Medica, Milan, Italy). ANA and ENA Abs were tested respectively by indirect immunofluorescence and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. “Scleroderma-like” (SSc-like) NVC pattern was significantly more frequent in MCTD than in UCTD patients (48% vs 11%, p