Background Vascular changes was early pathological changes of SSc, gradually appearing with irreversible fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Early diagnosis and assessment of the development and efficacy timely, could improve survival in patients with SSc.

Objectives To assess the value of nailfold capillaroscopy in the early diagnosis of systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods 60 patients with SSc and 55 patients with other connective tissue diseases.Data were extracted on clinical and laboratory parameters.2013 ACR/EULAR classification criteria and 1980 ACR criteria for SSc were evaluated.

Results The sensitivity of the 2013 criteria was 91.7% compared to 56.7% for the 1980 criteria (P<0.001). The specifiity of two criteria was no significant difference. This sensitivity of the 2013 criteria was higher compared to the 1980 criteria among those with lcSSc (95.5% versus 50%).The pattern was consistent among those with disease duration <3 years (90.5% versus 57.1%,P<0.05),and disease duration ≥3 years (92.3% versus 56.4%, P<0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of nailfold capillaroscopy to determine SSc were 86.7% and 43.6%. Patients not fulfilling the two classification criteria were met the very early diagnosis of systemic sclerosishe, and often suffering from RP, and had an SSc pattern on nailfold capillaroscopy.

Conclusions The sensitivity of 2013 ACR/ EULAR classification criteria was higher compared with 1980 ACR classification criteria.The specificity of two classification criteria was no significant difference. This sensitivity of two criteria was higher among those with lcSSc and short disease duration.Scleroderma pattern were significantly associated with the development of systemic sclerosis.

References

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References

Disclosure of Interest None declared