Abstract
ObjectiveTo evaluate whether the nailfold microcirculation is associated with retinal microcirculation in healthy subjects.MethodsFifty subjects without systematic and ocular diseases were enrolled. Thickness of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), vessel density (VD) of radial peripapillary capillaries (RPCs), and superficial capillary VD in macular zone were measured with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in left eyes. Nailfold microcirculation, including capillary density, avascular zones, dilated capillaries, and hemorrhages was examined on the fourth digit of each subject’s non-dominant (left) hand with nailfold capillaroscopy (NFC).ResultsAfter adjustment for relatively systemic factors, multivariate regression analyses showed a significant direct relationship between RNFL thickness and nailfold capillary density (OR = 1.09; p = 0.046). RNFL thickness and RPCs VD were negatively correlated with nailfold avascular zones (OR = 0.855; p = 0.007; OR = 0.596; p = 0.010). Superficial VD of parafovea was negatively associated with dilated nailfold capillaries (OR = 0.794; p = 0.012).ConclusionIn healthy subjects, nailfold capillary lower density and abnormalities are associated with reduced RNFL thickness and retinal VD. The results provide a theoretical foundation for relevant studies on ocular diseases with microvascular abnormalities and could contribute to pathogenesis understanding in the future. NFC and OCTA have the potential to identify risk factors and improve accuracy of the early diagnosis and treatment of ocular diseases, even systemic diseases with any microvascular component in clinical practice.Clinical Trail Registrationhttp://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx, identifier ChiCTR 1800017875.
Highlights
Microcirculation is recognized as a crucial element in many diseases
Thickness of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), vessel density (VD) of radial peripapillary capillaries (RPCs), and superficial capillary VD in macular zone were measured with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in left eyes
In healthy subjects, nailfold capillary lower density and abnormalities are associated with reduced RNFL thickness and retinal VD
Summary
Nailfold capillaroscopy (NFC), as a non-invasive, highly sensitive, and convenient technique, is designed to assess multiple features of the nailfold capillaries, including blood flow, density, and different kinds of abnormalities. It can provide visual inspection for microcirculation in living body. The previous literatures have showed there is reduction of retinal superficial vascular density measured by OCTA in some ocular diseases, even in systemic diseases (Vadalà et al, 2019) Based on these evidence, we hypothesized that nailfold capillaries, as the terminal capillary networks, were associated with retinal capillaries. To test this hypothesis, using NFC and OCTA, we conducted the first study to examine the relationship among nailfold capillaries, peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, and the macular and peripapillary superficial vessel density (VD)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
