Periungual capillaroscopy in psoriasis

BACKGROUND: Nailfold capillaroscopy is a useful technique for evaluating changes in microcirculation. OBJECTIVE: To investigate changes at nailfold capillaroscopy in psoriatic patients compared with controls. METHODS: Nailfold capillaroscopy was performed in 46 psoriatic patients and 50 controls to assess microscopic morphological changes, capillary density and the presence of areas with devascularization. RESULTS: Patients with psoriasis had lower capillary density (p=0.0005), increased avascular areas (p=0.0035) and an increased number of morphologically abnormal capillaries (coiled, p<0.0001) compared to controls. No association was found between capillary density and the duration of the disease (p = 0.92) or the extent of skin involvement, as measured by the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score (p = 0.59). The presence of avascular areas was more common in psoriatic individuals whose nails were affected by the condition (p = 0.047). CONCLUSION: Patients with psoriasis have decreased capillary density and a greater presence of morphologically abnormal capillaries when compared to controls.