ACR Meeting Abstracts

ACR Meeting Abstracts

  • Meetings
    • ACR Convergence 2024
    • ACR Convergence 2023
    • 2023 ACR/ARP PRSYM
    • ACR Convergence 2022
    • ACR Convergence 2021
    • ACR Convergence 2020
    • 2020 ACR/ARP PRSYM
    • 2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting
    • 2018-2009 Meetings
    • Download Abstracts
  • Keyword Index
  • Advanced Search
  • Your Favorites
    • Favorites
    • Login
    • View and print all favorites
    • Clear all your favorites
  • ACR Meetings

Abstract Number: 1930

The Value of Repeated Nailfold Capillaroscopy in Raynaud’s Phenomenon in Daily Practice: A Follow-up Study in the Netherlands

B. de Boer1, J. Meijs1, J. van Aken2, T.W.J. Huizinga1, A.a. Schouffoer3 and J.K. de Vries-Bouwstra4, 1Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands, 2Rheumatology, Spaarne Ziekenhuis, Hoofddorp, Netherlands, 3Rheumatology, Haga Hospital, The Hague, Netherlands, 4Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands

Meeting: 2014 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting

Keywords: nailfold capillaroscopy, Raynaud's phenomenon, scleroderma and systemic sclerosis

  • Tweet
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
Session Information

Title: Systemic Sclerosis, Fibrosing Syndromes and Raynaud's - Clinical Aspects and Therapeutics II: Approaches to Cardiac and Vascular Manifestations in Systemic Sclerosis

Session Type: Abstract Submissions (ACR)

Background/Purpose Nailfold capillaroscopy is an important tool to differentiate primary Raynaud’s phenomenon (PRP) from secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon (SRP). Based on possible transition from PRP to SRP (semi)annual capillaroscopy has been advocated to detect transition to SRP as early as possible.

Objective of this study is to evaluate the additive diagnostic value of repeated nailfold capillaroscopy after one year in patients with Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP).

Methods Patients with RP who underwent capillaroscopy at the outpatient clinic at least six months ago were invited for follow-up capillaroscopy. PRP was defined according to the definition of LeRoy (1); SRP was defined as RP associated with a connective tissue disease fulfilling applicable diagnostic criteria; the remaining patients were classified as suspected SRP (sSRP). The number of patients in which follow-up capillaroscopy resulted in change of diagnosis was determined.

Results In total 107 patients with RP underwent capillaroscopy. Of these71 underwent follow-up capillaroscopy after a mean period of 12 months (range 6-25 months). At baseline, eight (11%) patients had PRP, 28 (40%) SRP and 35 (49%) sSRP. The rate of progression from PRP to SRP was 12.5% (one of eight patients). The rate of progression from sSRP to SRP was 3% (one of 35 patients). Capillaroscopy pattern changed in 21 (30%) patients: six (8%) worsened (Table 1) and 15 (21%) improved. In total five patients (7%) had a different diagnosis at follow-up, two of which based on clinical symptoms, three based on capillaroscopy pattern only: one changed from PRP to SRP, based on development of sclerodactyly, one changed from sSRP to SRP based on biopsy proven myositis, and three patients changed from sSRP to PRP due to normalization of capillaroscopy (Table 2). Thus, capillaroscopy contributed to change in diagnosis in three out of 43 patients (7%) with PRP or sSRP, all improving from sSRP to PRP.

Conclusion Although progression from PRP to SRP was observed in 12.5% and progression from sSRP to SRP in 3%, changes in capillaroscopy did not contribute to change in clinical diagnosis in these patients.Based on the findings of this study, a follow-up capillaroscopy after one year in patients with PRP or sSRP without a change in clinical symptoms cannot be advocated. Extended follow-up in a larger population is needed to confirm this observation.

 (1) LeRoy EC, Medsger TA, Jr. Raynaud’s phenomenon: a proposal for classification. Clin Exp Rheumatol 1992 Sep;10(5):485-8.


Disclosure:

B. de Boer,
None;

J. Meijs,

Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd,

2;

J. van Aken,
None;

T. W. J. Huizinga,
None;

A. A. Schouffoer,
None;

J. K. de Vries-Bouwstra,
None.

  • Tweet
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print

« Back to 2014 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting

ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/the-value-of-repeated-nailfold-capillaroscopy-in-raynauds-phenomenon-in-daily-practice-a-follow-up-study-in-the-netherlands/

Advanced Search

Your Favorites

You can save and print a list of your favorite abstracts during your browser session by clicking the “Favorite” button at the bottom of any abstract. View your favorites »

All abstracts accepted to ACR Convergence are under media embargo once the ACR has notified presenters of their abstract’s acceptance. They may be presented at other meetings or published as manuscripts after this time but should not be discussed in non-scholarly venues or outlets. The following embargo policies are strictly enforced by the ACR.

Accepted abstracts are made available to the public online in advance of the meeting and are published in a special online supplement of our scientific journal, Arthritis & Rheumatology. Information contained in those abstracts may not be released until the abstracts appear online. In an exception to the media embargo, academic institutions, private organizations, and companies with products whose value may be influenced by information contained in an abstract may issue a press release to coincide with the availability of an ACR abstract on the ACR website. However, the ACR continues to require that information that goes beyond that contained in the abstract (e.g., discussion of the abstract done as part of editorial news coverage) is under media embargo until 10:00 AM ET on November 14, 2024. Journalists with access to embargoed information cannot release articles or editorial news coverage before this time. Editorial news coverage is considered original articles/videos developed by employed journalists to report facts, commentary, and subject matter expert quotes in a narrative form using a variety of sources (e.g., research, announcements, press releases, events, etc.).

Violation of this policy may result in the abstract being withdrawn from the meeting and other measures deemed appropriate. Authors are responsible for notifying colleagues, institutions, communications firms, and all other stakeholders related to the development or promotion of the abstract about this policy. If you have questions about the ACR abstract embargo policy, please contact ACR abstracts staff at [email protected].

Wiley

  • Online Journal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Permissions Policies
  • Cookie Preferences

© Copyright 2025 American College of Rheumatology