Synapse
⌘+K
Synapse
PulseExploreClubsResearchersJournals
Instagram
HomeClubsExplore
September 8, 2026Arthritis Care & ResearchOpen Access

Microvascular damage is associated with carotid wall structural changes in Systemic Sclerosis: a capillaroscopy and ultrasound‐based observational study

View Full Paper
Ask AI
Bookmark
Share

Key result

Severe microangiopathy in systemic sclerosis is linked to bilateral carotid plaques.

  • P=0.021
  • n=165

Why the study?

Systemic sclerosis features cardiovascular risk excess not fully explained by traditional factors, and whether microvascular damage severity correlates with structural subclinical atherosclerosis remains unclear.

Is the severity of microvascular damage associated with structural subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with systemic sclerosis?

Population

165 SSc patients

Comparison

NVC abnormalities and patterns vs carotid ultrasound wall alterations

Design

Cross-sectional study

Authors

ECEugenio CapparelliLCL. ClericiFLFrancesco Lapia

Discussion

Loading...

Member takes

Overview

May inform CV risk stratification in SSc; leaves open whether NVC predicts events or warrants intervention.

Key Points

  • To assess whether the severity of microvascular damage correlates with subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in patients with systemic sclerosis.
  • Assessed 165 patients with systemic sclerosis using nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) and carotid ultrasound in a cross-sectional study.
  • Categorized NVC patterns (non-scleroderma, early, active, late) and semiquantitatively graded microvascular features alongside carotid intima–media thickness (cIMT) and plaque presence.
  • Evaluated associations using univariate trend tests and multivariable logistic regression adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors.
  • Carotid plaques occurred in 46.7% of patients (20.6% bilateral), and 52.1% had a cIMT ≥0.9 mm, with an overall mean bilateral cIMT of 0.83 ± 0.17 mm.
  • Bilateral carotid plaques were significantly associated with a late NVC pattern (p=0.021), avascular areas (p=0.009), and reduced capillary density (p=0.021).
  • Multivariable logistic regression confirmed late NVC pattern as an independent predictor of bilateral plaques, whereas age and systolic blood pressure remained the primary predictors for pathological cIMT and plaques at any side.

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=165)

Structured PICO

Is the severity of microvascular damage associated with structural subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with systemic sclerosis?

P
Population
165 patients with Systemic Sclerosis undergoing nailfold videocapillaroscopy and carotid ultrasound in a cross-sectional study.
E
Exposure
Nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) to assess microvascular damage patterns
O
Outcome
Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and atherosclerotic plaques (unilateral/bilateral) evaluated by carotid ultrasoundsurrogate

Main Result

p-value: p=0.021

In patients with systemic sclerosis, severe structural microangiopathy is associated with bilateral carotid plaques, although traditional risk factors like age and systolic blood pressure remain key determinants of atherosclerosis.

Cite This Study

Capparelli et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) (n=165). Nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) abnormalities was evaluated on Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and atherosclerotic plaques (p=0.021). Severe structural microangiopathy in systemic sclerosis, such as late NVC pattern, is associated with bilateral carotid plaques (p=0.021), though age and SBP remain key determinants.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa0091858e84d0ff5b47c45https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.80156
View Full Paper
Ask AI
Bookmark
Share

Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Clinical and Serological Associations of Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Systemic Sclerosis2024
  2. 2Carotid and femoral arterial wall mechanics in scleroderma2003 · 73 citations
  3. 3Flow‐Mediated Vasodilation and Carotid Intima‐Media Thickness in Systemic Sclerosis2007 · 84 citations
  4. 4Macrovascular Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis: Association Between Carotid Ultrasound Hemodynamics Parameters and Digital Ulcers2025
  5. 5Association of nailfold capillaroscopic features with cardiac block and arrhythmias due to systemic sclerosis-related primary heart involvement2026