Capillaroscopic Findings in Primary Fibromyalgia

E-ISSN： 1875-6360|14|1|36-41

ISSN： 1573-3971

Source： Current Rheumatology Reviews, Vol.14, Iss.1, 2018-04, pp. : 36-41

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Abstract

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

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

Patients and Methods: 26 patients with primary fibromyalgia (25 women and 1 man) were includedin the study. Mean age was 55#177;10 years. As control groups were examined 31 patients withprimary RP and 35 healthy volunteers. Capillaroscopic examination was performed with a videocapillaroscopeVideocap 3.0 (DS Medica), magnification 200x with analysis of the main capillaroscopicparameters as follows: capillary distribution, shape, mean capillary diameters and length,mean capillary density, visibility of the subpapillary plexus; presence of avascular areas, microhaemorrhagesand neoangiogenic capillaries.

Results: Symptoms of RP were observed in 65% (17/26) of the cases with primary fibromyalgia.At capillaroscopic examination, the most frequent finding in patients with primary fibromyalgiawas the presence of capillary dilation in 85% (22/26) of the patients - both in cases with and withoutRP. However, the mean arterial and venous capillary diameters were significantly higher in thesubgroup of fibromyalgia patients with clinical symptoms of RP. Of note, microvascular abnormalitiescharacteristic of connective tissue diseases could not be observed in primary fibromyalgiapatients. Analogous changes - presence of dilated capillaries - were found in 96.6% (29/30) of patientswith primary RP.

Conclusion: In our study, the most frequent capillaroscopic finding in patients with primary fibromyalgiawas the presence of dilated capillary loops analogous to primary RP. Capillaroscopicsigns suggestive of connective tissue disease could not be found in primary fibromyalgia patients.