Diagnostic Value of Video-Dermatoscopy in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis and Dermatomyositis with its relation to Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (S.VEGF)

Abstract

Abstract Background Systemic sclerosis and dermatomyositis are autoimmune connective tissue diseases affecting the skin and various internal organs. Systemic sclerosis is characterized by fibrotic arteriosclerosis of peripheral and visceral vasculature. Objective Analysis of video dermatoscopic picture of systemic sclerosis and dermatomyositis patients and find a characteristic feature for both. Assess serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in these patients using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Perform a statistical analysis of the results to find a relation between video dermatoscopic Picture of systemic sclerosis and dermatomyositis patients and their serum VEGF to help in diagnosis, grading, prognosis and management. Patients and Methods Our case control study included 25 patients with SSc or DM (2555 years) recruited from Ain Shams University Hospitals and 25 apparent healthy controls with matched age and sex. After the study had been approved by Ain shams University of Medical Sciences Research Ethics Committee, all the subjects signed an informed consent before inclusion in the study. Results Serum VEGF level was highly significant in patients than in controls. This may be explained by the excessive release of VEGF in patients due to hypoxia caused by microvascular occlusion that not present in healthy controls. Conclusion Microvascular abnormalities are the earliest features of SSc and DM with elevation of serum VEGF level indicating its role in disease pathogenesis and disturbance of microvessls. Videodermoscopy and measurement of serum VEGF are effective tools in diagnosis, prognosis and grading of autoimmune connective tissue diseases as SSc and DM.