Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor level and its correlation with Nail Fold Capillaroscopic Patterns in patients with Systemic Sclerosis

Objective: to assess the correlation between blood levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and microvascular changes identified by nail fold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) in individuals with systemic sclerosis. Methods: A videocapillaroscope was used to evaluate the microvascular alterations in nail folds in SSc patients. The ELIZA technique was used to measure serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Results: Nailfold videocapillaroscopy reveals significant microvascular alterations in patients with systemic sclerosis when compared to controls. Patients' capillary breadth, length, and diameter have increased but their capillary numbers have dramatically decreased. 75% of patients have hemorrhages, although controls do not. Patients with systemic sclerosis have statistically significantly greater serum VEGF levels than controls. VEGF is negatively correlated with the total number of distal capillaries and significantly positively correlated with the number of mega-capillaries. With an AUC of 0.902 (95% CI:0.83–0.97, p