Nailfold capillaroscopy with USB dermatoscope: A cross-sectional study in healthy adults.

BACKGROUND

Nailfold capillaroscopy (NFC) is a convenient method for studying capillary morphology in the proximal nailfold (PNF) and is used for the evaluation of connective tissue and other diseases affecting the microvasculature. However, capillary density and morphological patterns in healthy individuals are largely unknown and this compromises the evaluation of the microvasculature in disease states.

OBJECTIVE

To describe and quantify the morphological characteristics of nailfold capillaries in healthy adult Indians.

METHODS

A USB 2.0 dermatoscope (Dinolite AM413ZT) with polarizing light was used to study nailfold capillary characteristics in 50 consecutive healthy adult individuals. NFC was performed on all 10 fingers. Images were assessed for both quantitative and qualitative features.

RESULTS

The mean capillary density in healthy Indian adults was 7.63 ± 1.12 capillary/mm. Tortuosity (22%), meandering capillaries (14%) and microhemorrhages (14%) were frequently seen in these individuals.

LIMITATION

The small sample size limited a conclusive determination of statistically significant differences in NFC findings with respect to gender and age.

CONCLUSION

NFC with a USB dermatoscope is a useful technique for studying the PNF capillaries. The normal PNF capillary density in healthy Indian adults was 7.63 ± 1.12 capillary/mm. Capillary alterations such as tortuosity, meandering capillaries and microhemorrhages are seen in a significant number of healthy individuals.