Key clinical point: A 12-month anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (anti-TNF-α) regimen improved nailfold capillaroscopic abnormalities in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), highlighting the usefulness of nailfold videocapillaroscopy in the evaluation of disease severity and in monitoring the efficacy of biologic treatment.
Major finding: After 12 months of initiating anti-TNF-α therapy, the proportion of patients with PsA showing structural integrity increased from 29.4% to 67.6% and those of patients with low capillaroscopic density and avascular areas decreased from 30.3% to 15.2% and 39.4% to 24.2%, respectively. The use of anti-TNF-α therapy was positively associated with a decrease in angiogenesis ( P = .0003) and in the number of giant capillaries ( P = .007) and elongated capillaries ( P = .0003).
Study details: Findings are from a retrospective observational study including patients with PsA (n=34) and those with rheumatoid arthritis (n=34) who received anti-TNF-α therapy and control individuals (n=24).
Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. The authors declared no conflict of interests.
Source: Anghel D et al. Nailfold videocapillaroscopy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthropathy on ANTI-TNF-ALPHA therapy. Diagnostics (Basel). 2023;13(12):2079 (Jun 15). Doi: 10.3390/diagnostics13122079.