Role of Nail Fold Capillaroscopy as A Method of Early Detection of Atherosclerosis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients

Abstract

The development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease as a consequence Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is a common and dangerous complication in patients with SLE. However, since the prevalence of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease is variable and increasing by time, universal screening would imply a large number of unnecessary carotid Doppler. Predicting the presence atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease by non-invasive rapid means might increase compliance, improve prognosis and compliance of those patients with a high probability of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Over the years, several studies have addressed this issue. In search of possible non-invasive predictors for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, the present study tried to determine the value of nail fold capillaroscopy for selecting patients with SLE of bearing large atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. All Patients were subjected to full history taking, full clinical examination, laboratory investigations, carotid Doppler and nail fold capillaroscopy.