Capillaroscopic Patterns in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis, Psoriasis, and Alopecia and Their Correlations with Serum Concentrations of Several Angiogenic Markers

March 2015 in “ Polish Journal of Public Health ”

Grażyna Chodorowska, Małgorzata Michalska-Jakubus, Joanna Bartosińska, Agnieszka Gerkowicz, Michał Adamczyk, Dorota Krasowska

alopecia areata androgenetic alopecia capillaroscopic patterns angiopoietin-2 endothelial microparticles nailfold capillaroscopy microcirculation disturbances AA AGA Ang-2 EMPs NVC

Studysummary This study found that capillaroscopic patterns varied among patients with systemic scleroderma, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and alopecia, suggesting potential microcirculation disturbances; however, no correlations were observed with serum angiogenic markers.

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The study investigated the relationship between capillaroscopic patterns and serum angiogenic markers in 295 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), psoriasis (PV), psoriatic arthritis (PSA), alopecia areata (AA), and androgenetic alopecia. Nailfold capillaroscopy (NVC) revealed three distinct patterns in SSc, with the late pattern showing higher angiopoietin-2 levels and lower endothelial microparticles. No correlations between NVC patterns and serum markers were found in PV and PSA. In AA, normal NVC patterns were more common, while in androgenetic alopecia, the normal pattern was most frequent but significant capillaroscopic alterations were observed. The study suggests that serum levels of Ang-2 and EMPs may reflect capillary damage in SSc, and abnormal NVC patterns in alopecia could indicate microcirculation disturbances. Further research is necessary to confirm these findings.

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