Capillaroscopic findings in individuals with Sjögren’s syndrome, systemic sclerosis, and primary Raynaud’s phenomenon at a capillaroscopy referral centre in Medellin, Colombia

Abstract

Introduction

Nailfold capillaroscopy is a fundamental technique for studying systemic autoimmune diseases such as Sjögren’s syndrome, particularly in patients with Raynaud’s phenomenon and sclerodermiform features. However, in this condition, studies are scarce and often use instruments less precise than digital videocapillaroscopy, limiting the available evidence.

Objective

To compare capillaroscopic findings among individuals with Sjögren's syndrome (SS), primary Raynaud's phenomenon (PRP), and systemic sclerosis (SSc) at a national referral centre for nailfold videocapillaroscopy in Medellin, Colombia, between 2016 and 2022.

Materials and methods

An analytical cross-sectional observational study that included individuals over 18 years of age with SS, SSc, and PRP. Clinical and capillaroscopic characteristics information was obtained from capillaroscopy reports at an expert centre. Pearson's chi-square test was used to compare qualitative variables, and the Kruskal-Wallis test for quantitative variables. A P-value <.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

A total of 195 patients were included. Subjects with SS had a lower prevalence of abnormal capillaroscopic variables than patients with SSc (P < .001). All abnormal capillaroscopic variables were more frequent in the SS group compared to PRP. There were statistically significant differences among the three patient groups in the capillaroscopic pattern (P < .001). The main capillaroscopic finding in SS was the presence of dilated capillaries (55.4%; 36/65). In the SS group, an early scleroderma pattern was present in 4.6%, and an active scleroderma pattern in 13.8%, both findings less frequent than in SSc but more common than in PRP.

Conclusions

In a population of SS patients with a high prevalence of secondary Raynaud's phenomenon and anticentromere antibodies, a high prevalence of capillaroscopic abnormalities was found. Although less frequent compared to the SSc group, these abnormalities were more common than in the PRP group.