Biomaterial Database

The predictive value of quantitative nailfold capillary microscopy in patients with undifferentiated connective tissue disease. 1998

T Ohtsuka, and T Tamura, and A Yamakage, and S Yamazaki

Department of Dermatology, Dokkyo University School of Medicine, 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibu, T.chigi 321-0293, Japan.

The present prospective study was undertaken to follow the natural history of patients with Raynaud's phenomenon and to document in these patients the frequency with which secondary disorders develop. Seventeen patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon (PRP) and 43 patients with undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) were examined after 6-8 years to see whether they had developed into UCTD or systemic sclerosis (SSc), respectively. Their nailfold capillary parameters were analysed statistically to ascertain whether they would predict for the development of the diseases into UCTD or SSc. Two patients with PRP(12%) developed into UCTD, and 10 patients with UCTD (23%) into SSc. In PRP, all three parameters of the patients who developed into UCTD showed a tendency to be larger than in those who did not develop UCTD. In UCTD, the apical limb width (P < 0.02), capillary width (P < 0.01) and capillary length (P < 0.01) of the subjects who developed SSc were significantly larger than those who did not. Of the clinicolaboratory findings in patients with UCTD, the occurrence rate of abnormal apical limb width (relative risk 20. 7, P < 0.01), abnormal capillary width (relative risk 10.7, P < 0. 01), abnormal capillary length (relative risk 9.2, P < 0.02) and antinuclear antibody (relative risk 9.6, P < 0.05) showed a significant predictive value for the development of UCTD into SSc. These results indicate that quantitative nailfold capillary microscopy, as well as antinuclear antibody, will provide exact predictive information in patients with UCTD in clinical practice.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008853	Microscopy	The use of instrumentation and techniques for visualizing material and details that cannot be seen by the unaided eye. It is usually done by enlarging images, transmitted by light or electron beams, with optical or magnetic lenses that magnify the entire image field. With scanning microscopy, images are generated by collecting output from the specimen in a point-by-point fashion, on a magnified scale, as it is scanned by a narrow beam of light or electrons, a laser, a conductive probe, or a topographical probe.	Compound Microscopy,Hand-Held Microscopy,Light Microscopy,Optical Microscopy,Simple Microscopy,Hand Held Microscopy,Microscopy, Compound,Microscopy, Hand-Held,Microscopy, Light,Microscopy, Optical,Microscopy, Simple
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D009262	Nails	The thin, horny plates that cover the dorsal surfaces of the distal phalanges of the fingers and toes of primates.	Fingernails,Toenails,Fingernail,Nail,Toenail
D011928	Raynaud Disease	An idiopathic vascular disorder characterized by bilateral Raynaud phenomenon, the abrupt onset of digital paleness or CYANOSIS in response to cold exposure or stress.	Cold Fingers, Hereditary,Raynaud Phenomenon,Raynaud's Disease,Raynauds Disease
D002196	Capillaries	The minute vessels that connect arterioles and venules.	Capillary Beds,Sinusoidal Beds,Sinusoids,Bed, Sinusoidal,Beds, Sinusoidal,Capillary,Capillary Bed,Sinusoid,Sinusoidal Bed
D003240	Connective Tissue Diseases	A heterogeneous group of disorders, some hereditary, others acquired, characterized by abnormal structure or function of one or more of the elements of connective tissue, i.e., collagen, elastin, or the mucopolysaccharides.	Connective Tissue Disease,Disease, Connective Tissue,Diseases, Connective Tissue
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293	Adolescent	A person 13 to 18 years of age.	Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths