"Scleroderma" and "Scleroderma-like" Capillaroscopic Pattern-Differences and Similarities.

Introduction: The "scleroderma" type capillaroscopic pattern is a reference pattern in rheumatology that is a diagnostic sign for systemic sclerosis (SSc) in an appropriate clinical context and is observed in more than 90% of scleroderma patients. Similar microvascular changes, the so-called "scleroderma-like", have been described albeit in a lower proportion of patients with other rheumatic diseases, such as dermatomyositis (DM), undifferentiated connective tissue diseases (UCTD), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), etc. Three distinct stages of "scleroderma" pattern have been suggested by Cutolo .

Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein in Osteoarthritis and Obesity-Do New Considerations Emerge?

The diagnosis of osteoarthritis (OA) is based on radiological changes that are delayed, along with clinical symptoms. Early and very early diagnosis at the stage of molecular pathology may eventually offer an opportunity for early therapeutic intervention that may retard and prevent future damage. Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) is a non-collagenous extracellular matrix protein that promotes the secretion and aggregation of collagen and contributes to the stability of the extracellular matrix.

The Value of Nailfold Capillaroscopy in the Classification and Differential Diagnosis of Raynaud's Phenomenon in Rheumatology.

Among instrumental techniques, nailfold capillaroscopy plays a leading role in the assessment of Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) patients because it is the only method that provides opportunities for morphological assessment of capillaroscopic findings in the nailfold area, with proven diagnostic and prognostic significance in rheumatology. The discussion about updating the classification of RP in rheumatology is interesting given the current understanding of capillaroscopic findings in rheumatic diseases and improvements in immunological diagnostics. The presence of dilation of the "true" capillary diameters in primary RP could be observed.

Changes in the Subchondral Bone, Visfatin, and Cartilage Biomarkers after Pharmacological Treatment of Experimental Osteoarthritis with Metformin and Alendronate.

Subchondral bone that has intense communication with the articular cartilage might be a potential target for pharmacological treatment in the early stages of osteoarthritis (OA). Considering the emerging data about the role of adipokines in the pathogenesis of OA, the administration of drugs that influence their level is also intriguing. Metformin and alendronate were administered in mice with collagenase-induced OA (CIOA) as a monotherapy and in combination.

Microangiopathy in Rheumatic Diseases.

Capillaries are part of the microcirculation, which consists of arterioles, capillaries, and venules and are the connecting link between the arterial and venous blood circulation [...

Pleiotropic Effects of Metformin in Osteoarthritis.

The involvement of the knee joint is the most common localization of the pathological process in osteoarthritis (OA), which is associated with obesity in over 50% of the patients and is mediated by mechanical, inflammatory, and metabolic mechanisms. Obesity and the associated conditions (hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hypertension) have been found to be risk factors for the development of knee OA, which has led to the emerging concept of the existence of a distinct phenotype, i.e.

Knee Osteoarthritis-How Close Are We to Disease-Modifying Treatment: Emphasis on Metabolic Type Knee Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a whole-joint disease that affects cartilage, bone, and synovium as well as ligaments, menisci, and muscles [...

Capillaroscopy and Immunological Profile in Systemic Sclerosis.

Introduction: Data on the associations between capillaroscopic changes and diagnostic systemic-sclerosis (SSc)-related antibodies are scarce. Presence of such correlation would improve current knowledge about the disease’s pathogenesis by revealing the mechanisms of microangiopathy. The microvascular pathology of SSc is a hallmark of the disease, and immunological abnormalities probably contribute to its development.

Serum Leptin and Resistin Levels in Knee Osteoarthritis-Clinical and Radiologic Links: Towards Precise Definition of Metabolic Type Knee Osteoarthritis.

Obesity is considered a major risk factor for the development and progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA). Apart from the mechanical effect of obesity via increase in mechanical overload of weight-bearing joints, an association with hand OA has been observed. There has been increasing interest in the role of adipokines in the pathogenesis of OA in the recent years.

Disease-Modifying Potential of Metformin and Alendronate in an Experimental Mouse Model of Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative joint disease causing progressive damages of the cartilage and subchondral bone, synovial inflammation, and severe pain. Despite the complex pathomorphological changes that occur in OA, the approach to different forms of OA is standardized. The global results from pharmacological treatment are not satisfactory.

Inhomogeneity of capillaroscopic findings in systemic sclerosis.

Background: Despite the great interest in capillaroscopy in systemic sclerosis (SSc), research on the possible combinations of different microvascular phenomena at different fingers in SSc patients have not been performed until now.

Objective: To assess the diversity of capillaroscopic findings in SSc.

Methods: The study includes analysis of the capillaroscopic findings in 40 SSc patients who were divided into the following categories: "scleroderma", type pattern - "early", "active", "late" phase, normal and/or nonspecific findings.

Nailfold capillaroscopy in systemic sclerosis - state of the art: The evolving knowledge about capillaroscopic abnormalities in systemic sclerosis.

Capillaroscopy is a unique method for morphological evaluation of the nailfold capillaries that plays a crucial role for early diagnosis of systemic sclerosis. The first description of the pathological capillaroscopic changes in systemic sclerosis was made by Brown and O'Leary in 1925. Several decades later they have been validated and accepted as a diagnostic criterion in the current 2013 EULAR/ACR classification criteria.

Mosaic capillaroscopic findings in systemic sclerosis.

A 67-year-old woman with triphasic Raynaud's phenomenon since 2 years was diagnosed as having limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (SSc) 1 year ago based on puffy fingers, positive antinuclear and anti-Scl-70 autoantibodies, and initial pulmonary fibrosis. Capillaroscopic examination revealed "mosaic" capillaroscopic findings that included normal pattern; "scleroderma"-type capillaroscopic pattern "early" phase, with single giant capillaries and haemorrhages, preserved capillary distribution; and "scleroderma"-type capillaroscopic pattern "active" phase, with high number of giant capillary loops and haemorrhages, moderately disturbed distribution. Nailfold capillaroscopy is an established non-invasive imaging technique for morphologic evaluation of the capillaries in the nail-fold area that reveals diagnostic changes in the majority of SSc patients.

Nailfold Capillaroscopy of Fingers and Toes - Variations of Normal.

Background: Nailfold capillaroscopy is the only method for morphological assessment of nutritive capillaries. The literature data about capillaroscopic findings in healthy individuals are scarce.

Objective: To evaluate and compare the capillaroscopic findings of fingers and toes in healthy subjects.

Nailfold Capillaroscopy Within and Beyond the Scope of Connective Tissue Diseases.

Nailfold capillaroscopy is a noninvasive instrumental method for morphological analysis of the nutritive capillaries in the nailfold area. In rheumatology, it is a method of choice among instrumental modalities for differential diagnosis between primary and secondary Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) in systemic rheumatic diseases. RP is a common diagnostic problem in rheumatology.

Capillaroscopic Findings in Primary Fibromyalgia.

Introduction: Although Raynaud's Phenomenon (RP) is observed in a significant proportion of patients with primary fibromyalgia, the available data on capillaroscopic findings in primary fibromyalgia are scarce.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess the capillaroscopic pattern in patients with primary fibromyalgia.

Patients And Methods: 26 patients with primary fibromyalgia (25 women and 1 man) were included in the study.

The Place of Nailfold Capillaroscopy Among Instrumental Methods for Assessment of Some Peripheral Ischaemic Syndromes in Rheumatology.

Micro- and macrovascular pathology is a frequent finding in a number of common rheumatic diseases. Secondary Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is among the most common symptoms in systemic sclerosis and several other systemic autoimmune diseases including a broad differential diagnosis. It should be also differential from other peripheral vascular syndromes such as embolism, thrombosis, etc.