Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40617586›Full record

ArticleRMD open2025

Differences in nailfold capillaroscopy findings between limited and diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis: a detailed analysis.

Ana Margarida Correia, Rosanna Campitiello, Carmen Pizzorni, Emanuele Gotelli, Alberto Sulli, Sabrina Paolino, Vanessa Smith, Maurizio Cutolo

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in RMD open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Ana Margarida CorreiaRheumatology Department, Unidade Local de Saúde de Braga, Braga, Portugal.
Rosanna CampitielloLaboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DiMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
Carmen PizzorniLaboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DiMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
Emanuele GotelliLaboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DiMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-4732-0306
Alberto SulliLaboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DiMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
Sabrina PaolinoLaboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DiMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
Vanessa SmithRheumatology and Internal Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.ORCID 0000-0001-6271-7945
Maurizio CutoloLaboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DiMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy mcutolo@unige.it.ORCID 0000-0002-5396-0932

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveTo investigate and distinguish detailed nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) findings in patients with limited (lcSSc) and diffuse (dcSSc) cutaneous systemic sclerosis (SSc).

methodsA total of 157 patients was recruited, 100 with lcSSc, 27 with dcSSc and 30 with primary Raynaud phenomenon (pRP). The NVC SSc pattern and the absolute number of capillaries (per linear millimetre) were performed at the first NVC analysis. 'Early'/'Active' NVC status (capillary dilations, microhaemorrhages and giant capillaries) and 'Late' NVC status (number of capillaries, altered microvascular architecture and abnormal capillary shapes) were scored.

resultsA statistically significant difference in the absolute number of capillaries between patients with lcSSc, dcSSc and pRP was found (p<0.001). Capillary number loss was present in both SSc subgroups and it was significantly higher in patients with dcSSc compared with lcSSc (4.89±1.53 vs 6.18±1.75, p<0.001). A significantly higher 'Late' NVC status score was observed in patients with dcSSc (p<0.001), including lower capillary density (p<0.001), altered shapes (p<0.001) and presence of abnormal shapes (p=0.005). Correlations showed that higher modified Rodnan Skin Score is associated with decreased capillary number and higher 'Late' NVC status score (p<0.001). Additionally, a statistically significant association was established between 'Late' SSc pattern and dcSSc (p=0.004) and between 'Early' SSc pattern and lcSSc (p=0.010). The absolute capillary number was normal and significantly higher in patients with pRP (p<0.001) than in all patients with SSc.

conclusionsThe current investigation underlines the importance of NVC detailed analysis and scoring in discriminating the severity of microvascular damage between lcSSc and dcSSc.

Indexed as

Microscopic AngioscopyNailsScleroderma, DiffuseScleroderma, LimitedAdultAgedCapillariesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedRaynaud DiseaseScleroderma, SystemicAutoimmunityConnective Tissue DiseasesMicrocirculationScleroderma, Systemic

Identifiers

PMID40617586
PMCPMC12228432

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.