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Willems S, Smith V, Wallaert S, Gotelli E, Du Four T, Wyckstandt K, Cere A, Cutolo M. Description of Peripheral Blood Perfusion by Laser Speckle Contrast Analysis (LASCA) in 'Early' versus 'Clinically Overt' Systemic Sclerosis in Routine Clinics. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13091566. [PMID: 37174957 PMCID: PMC10177938 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13091566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate in an unselected, systemic sclerosis (SSc) cohort if baseline laser speckle contrast analysis (LASCA) peripheral blood perfusion (PBP) measurements differ between 'early' SSc (without skin involvement, or 'limited' SSc-LSSc) and 'clinically overt' SSc (with skin involvement, limited cutaneous SSc-LcSSc and diffuse cutaneous SSc-DcSSc) in routine setting. METHODS A group of twenty consecutive 'early' SSc patients and forty consecutive 'clinically overt' SSc patients (twenty LcSSc and twenty DcSSc) underwent clinical and LASCA examinations (to assess the peripheral blood perfusion [PBP] of both hands volar). RESULTS No statistically significant difference in adjusted PBP was found in the 'early' versus the 'clinically overt' group (p = 0.77) when adjusted for possible confounding factors (e.g., vasoactive medication, active smoking, history of DTL and disease duration). A wide variability was noted when observing the individual datapoints of each subset. CONCLUSION This study with an unselected SSc population in daily routine, non-research setting, showed there was no difference in adjusted PBP at baseline between 'early' SSc and 'clinically overt' SSc when corrected for possible confounding factors. Interestingly a wide variation of individual datapoints were observed in each subset, which emphasizes the heterogeneity of SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seppe Willems
- Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Vanessa Smith
- Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Unit for Molecular Immunology and Inflammation, Inflammation Research Center (IRC), Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB), 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Steven Wallaert
- Biostatistics Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Emanuele Gotelli
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties, University of Genova, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic Hospital, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Tessa Du Four
- Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kaat Wyckstandt
- Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Andrea Cere
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties, University of Genova, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic Hospital, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Maurizio Cutolo
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties, University of Genova, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic Hospital, 16132 Genova, Italy
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D’Oria M, Gandin I, Riccardo P, Hughes M, Lepidi S, Salton F, Confalonieri P, Confalonieri M, Tavano S, Ruaro B. Correlation between Microvascular Damage and Internal Organ Involvement in Scleroderma: Focus on Lung Damage and Endothelial Dysfunction. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 13:diagnostics13010055. [PMID: 36611347 PMCID: PMC9818898 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13010055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an incurable connective tissue disease characterized by decreased peripheral blood perfusion due to microvascular damage and skin thickening/hardening. The microcirculation deficit is typically secondary to structural vessel damage, which can be assessed morphologically and functionally in a variety of ways, exploiting different technologies. OBJECTIVE This paper focuses on reviewing new studies regarding the correlation between microvascular damage, endothelial dysfunction, and internal organ involvement, particularly pulmonary changes in SSc. METHODS We critically reviewed the most recent literature on the correlation between blood perfusion and organ involvement. RESULTS Many papers have demonstrated the link between structural microcirculatory damage and pulmonary involvement; however, studies that have investigated correlations between microvascular functional impairment and internal organ damage are scarce. Overall, the literature supports the correlation between organ involvement and functional microcirculatory impairment in SSc patients. CONCLUSIONS Morphological and functional techniques appear to be emerging biomarkers in SSc, but obviously need further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario D’Oria
- Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Ilaria Gandin
- Biostatistics Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Pozzan Riccardo
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Michael Hughes
- Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, Salford Care Organisation and Division of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester M6 8HD, UK
| | - Sandro Lepidi
- Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesco Salton
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Paola Confalonieri
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Confalonieri
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Stefano Tavano
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Barbara Ruaro
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-040-399-4871
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Vascular assessment in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is included in classification criteria for this disease, thus routinely used in the evaluation of patients in which this diagnosis is being considered. In this review, imaging techniques for assessment of vascular involvement in SSc hands and skin are discussed. RECENT FINDINGS Longitudinal use of imaging techniques has important implications for understanding the progressive vasculopathy and fibrotic transition in SSc. Nailfold and oral capillaroscopy as well as laser speckle contrast analysis are established techniques for vascular functional assessment, but longitudinal use is challenged by equipment costs and clinical time constraints. Ultrasound techniques are well described but require technical training. Advances in mobile infrared thermography and optical coherence tomography could potentially provide a point-of-care, quantitative outcome measure in clinical trials and practice. SUMMARY The equipment cost, technical training, data standardization, and invasiveness of vascular assessment techniques that quantify morphological (microangiopathy) and functional (blood flow reduction) are critical for implementation into SSc clinical trials and practice to understand progressive vasculopathy, such as wound development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy M. Frech
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Veterans Affair Medical Center, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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