Nailfold capillary density is importantly associated over time with muscle and skin disease activity in juvenile dermatomyositis.

Objectives: To investigate the longitudinal association of nailfold capillary density (NCD; as a potential marker of activity) with various other clinical measures of disease activity and to evaluate baseline NCD as a predictor of disease outcome in children with JDM.

Methods: Data from 809 clinic visits from 92 JDM patients were prospectively collected at each clinic visit over a time period of 5.5 years.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring: mean blood pressure and blood pressure load.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is commonly used to diagnose pediatric hypertension. Using ABPM, hypertension is usually defined as a mean BP greater than the 95th percentile for height. A BP load >30% (% of BP readings greater than the 95th percentile) is also used for the diagnosis of hypertension.