Role of Nail Fold Capillaroscopy as A Method of Early Detection of Atherosclerosis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients

ConclusionIM thickness and nail fold capillaroscopy could be used as a guiding noninvasive screening tool in patients with SLE to predict the atherosclerosis and CV risk. Nail fold changes is correlated to the atherosclerotic changes happening in SLE patients. These results may lead to a reduction in the number of SLE patients with undiagnosed atherosclerosis and CV risk. Nail fold capillarscopy may also help alleviate the financial and disinfection burdens of radiology units as well as the medical costs associated with atherosclerosis and CV risk. Nail fold capillaroscopy can be used as a screening tool before doing carotid Doppler.
Source: QJM - Category: Internal Medicine Source Type: research