Periungual capillaroscopy in psoriatic arthritis

PURPOSE: The aim of the study is the evaluation of the microcirculation trough periungueal capillaroscopy in patients suffering from psoriatic arthritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients (mean age 44 years, nine males and nine females) were examined according to the different clinical forms (spondylitic, mutilans, simil-rheumatoid, onyco-arthritis, oligo-articular) of the disease. RESULTS: In most of the patients, the exam showed a reduction in ansas' density and in capillary length and calibre as well as interstitial edema and expansion of the ansa venular portion with coiling and kinking, demonstrating the re-organization of the veins and the neo-angiogenesis. Avascular areas and microaneurysm have been found only in the "mutilans" form. In the "simil-rheumatoid" form, ansa reduced in length and calibre have been observed at capillaroscopy, a pattern different from that reported by others, in rheumatoid arthritis (characterized by thin but lengthened ansa). In the "spondylitic" form, the video-microscopical pattern was negative. CONCLUSIONS: This study is still ongoing in order to evaluate the results in a more representative sample.