Nailfold capillaroscopy in diabetes mellitus. literature review

Abstract

Nailfold capillaroscopy is currently one of the highly informative methods for assessing the state of microcirculation. The advantages are ease of implementation, non-invasiveness, accessibility of the research object, instant visualization of the microvasculature, painlessness. The object of the study is the nailfold capillaries of the fingers or toes, due to their horizontal position in relation to the surface of the body, which makes it possible to evaluate the capillary throughout. Many authors have shown pronounced microvascular anomalies in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus: tortuosity and dilation of capillaries, a decrease in their density, microhemorrhages, avascular zones, ectasias and aneurysms, newly formed capillaries; a relationship with the duration and compensation of diabetes mellitus as well as the severity of diabetic retinopathy was revealed. Thus, nailfold capillaroscopy can be used as a method for diagnosing and predicting diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetes mellitus with the aim of early detection of initial changes in the microvasculature and timely retinopathy treatment. Key words: capillaroscopy; nailfold; diabetes mellitus.