Correlations between nailfold capillaroscopy findings and distinct clinical forms of juvenile dermatomyositis

Abstract

Juvenile dermatomyositis is the most common idiopathic inflammatory myopathy in childhood. Nailfold capillaroscopy plays an important role in its assessment, being useful for diagnosis and follow-up. It is well documented that the morphological changes of nailfold capillaries reflect microvascular alterations presented in connective tissue diseases, including juvenile dermatomyositis. Several studies reported that the extent of microangiopathy detected by nailfold capillaroscopy examination offers a good correlation with disease activity and severity in juvenile dermatomyositis. The aim of this study was to assess the associations between distinct nailfold capillaries abnormalities and juvenile dermatomyositis clinical forms.