AB1143 SUBCLINICAL MICROVASCULAR INVOLVEMENT IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS PATIENTS

Abstract

Background Peripheral microcirculation is well studied in primary Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP), but poorly investigated in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (1-3). Objectives To investigate morphological and functional aspects of microcirculation in different skin areas of the hands in SLE patients in comparison with primary RP (PRP) patients and healthy subjects (CNT). Methods 15 SLE patients without RP (ACR 2013 criteria) (mean age 52±13 SD years, mean disease duration 6±3 years), 15 PRP patients (LeRoy 2001 criteria) (mean age 52±16 years, mean RP duration 6±4 years) and 15 sex-matched controls (CNT) (mean age 51±16 years) were enrolled during the winter period. Nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) and laser speckle contrast analysis (LASCA) have been performed in the three groups of patients. The absolute nailfold capillary number (CN) per linear millimeter at first distal row was assessed by NVC (4). Blood perfusion (BP) was detected by LASCA at the level of fingertips, periungual areas, dorsum and palm of both hands (2). Patients were not taking vasoactive drugs since at least one month before study entry. Statistical analysis was performed by non parametric tests. Results SLE patients showed a statistically significant lower nailfold absolute CN than both PRP and CNT (median 9.2 vs 10.2 vs 11.1, respectively, p Conclusion SLE patients, without RP, show a subclinical microvascular impairment, having lower nailfold CN and lower BP than CNT. Conversely, PRP patients show only a functional dysfunction, having lower peripheral skin BP than both SLE patients and CNT. A correlation between morphological and functional microvascular features was also found in SLE patients. These findings seem to suggest interesting microvascular insights in active SLE patients.