Nailfold capillaroscopy changes in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: Correlation with disease activity and anti-uridin1-ribonucleoprotein antibodies

Introduction

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that causes multiple vascular complications, including endothelial cell damage. Nailfold capillaroscopy is the most effective non-invasive imaging technique for assessing the morphology of nailfold capillaries, and approximately half of the SLE patients have non-specific nailfold capillaroscopy abnormalities. Anti-uridin1-ribonucleoprotein antibodies are present in systemic lupus erythematosus patients with Raynaud's phenomenon, pulmonary artery hypertension, esophageal dysmotility, myopathy, and no severe renal involvement.

Aim

To detect different patterns of nailfold capillaroscopic changes in SLE patients, their correlation with SLE disease activity, and anti-U1-RNP antibodies.

Patients and methods

A case–control study included eighty-six SLE patients, and disease activity was assessed using the SLEDAI-2K. All patients had a nailfold capillaroscopic examination. Anti-uridin1-ribonucleoprotein antibodies were measured in all patients.

Results

Anti-uridin1-ribonucleoprotein antibodies had a significant inverse correlation with microhemorrhages and a significant direct relationship between anti-dsDNA antibody positivity and the presence of microhemorrhage. Additionally, a significant direct correlation was found between giant capillaries, venous plexus visibility, and higher ESR and CRP. Raynaud's phenomenon was significantly correlated with SLEDAI-2K, swollen joints, tender joints, and anti-dsDNA. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that microhemorrhages and giant capillaries were the most significant predictors of lupus disease activity.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight the prevalence of microvascular abnormalities in systemic lupus erythematosus, including tortuosity, crossing, elongation, microhemorrhages, and giant capillaries, emphasizing the importance of NFC in assessing microcirculation and disease activity. Also, it adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the prognostic value of capillary abnormalities, particularly microhemorrhages and giant capillaries, as predictors of disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Nailfold capillaroscopic examination can assess lupus activity and potentially predict the risk of serious complications.