Haticetül Kübra SARI, Şevki ÖZDEMİR
Archives of Basic and Clinical Research - 2026;8(2):157-163
Objective: Evaluating the microvascular structure in rheumatological diseases provides important information for understanding the pathogenesis and clinical management of these diseases. Nail capillaroscopy is a reliable method that allows non-invasive examination of these changes. This study aimed to evaluate nail capillary findings in rheumatological diseases using digital dermoscopy and to compare capillary patterns in different disease groups. Methods: The study included 200 patients diagnosed with rheumatological diseases and 50 healthy volunteers. The nail bed capillaries of all participants were evaluated using a digital dermatoscope. Capillary examination assessed the presence of edema, tortuous, elongated, dilated, and brush-like capillaries, microhemorrhages, and avascular areas. Statistical analyses were performed using appropriate parametric and non-parametric tests, and a P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The frequency of capillary abnormalities was significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group. The most frequently observed findings were edema and tortuous, elongated capillaries. Capillary patterns differed by disease group, with more specific findings particularly prominent in patients with systemic sclerosis. Conclusion: Nail capillaroscopy is an effective, easily applicable, and non-invasive method for evaluating microvascular changes in rheumatological diseases. Capillary patterns observed in different disease groups can provide clinically valuable information for diagnosis and disease monitoring.
