Longitudinal study of microvascular involvement by nailfold capillaroscopy in children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura

Clin Rheumatol. 2009 Sep;28(9):1101-5. doi: 10.1007/s10067-009-1200-5. Epub 2009 May 22.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to describe by video-nailfold capillaroscopy the microvascular involvement and capillary changes in children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSp) and to establish a possible correlation with clinical outcome. Thirty-one patients underwent capillaroscopic evaluation through a videomicroscope during the acute phase and after 6 months. Twenty sex/age-matched controls were also examined. All capillaroscopic variables were statistically examined in combination with laboratoristic/clinical data. Architectural and morphological changes recorded during the acute phase were statistically significant in comparison to the controls (p < 0.01). At the follow-up, oedema was still observed in all patients, whereas, morphological changes only in two. There was a no significant correlation between capillaroscopy changes, laboratoristic/clinical data, and outcome. Video-nailfold capillaroscopy can be a simple tool to evaluate microvascular abnormalities in the acute phase of HSp, and the persistence of oedema could suggest an incomplete disease resolution at a microvascular level.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adolescent
  • Capillaries / physiopathology*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Edema / pathology
  • Edema / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • IgA Vasculitis / pathology
  • IgA Vasculitis / physiopathology*
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Microcirculation
  • Microscopic Angioscopy*
  • Nails / blood supply*
  • Nails / pathology
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prognosis
  • Skin / blood supply
  • Skin / pathology