Periungual capillaroscopy in psoriasis.

BACKGROUND

Nailfold capillaroscopy is a useful technique for evaluating changes in microcirculation.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate changes at nailfold capillaroscopy in psoriatic patients compared with controls.

METHODS

Nailfold capillaroscopy was performed in 46 psoriatic patients and 50 controls to assess microscopic morphological changes, capillary density and the presence of areas with devascularization.

RESULTS

Patients with psoriasis had lower capillary density (p=0.0005), increased avascular areas (p=0.0035) and an increased number of morphologically abnormal capillaries (coiled, p<0.0001) compared to controls. No association was found between capillary density and the duration of the disease (p = 0.92) or the extent of skin involvement, as measured by the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score (p = 0.59). The presence of avascular areas was more common in psoriatic individuals whose nails were affected by the condition (p = 0.047).

CONCLUSION

Patients with psoriasis have decreased capillary density and a greater presence of morphologically abnormal capillaries when compared to controls.