The Relationship Between Nailfold Microcirculation and Retinal Microcirculation in Healthy Subjects

Abstract

Objective To evaluate whether the nailfold microcirculation is associated with retinal microcirculation in healthy subjects. Methods Fifty subjects without systematic and ocular diseases were enrolled. Thickness of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), vessel density (VD) of radial peripapillary capillaries (RPCs), and superficial capillary VD in macular zone were measured with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in left eyes. Nailfold microcirculation, including capillary density, avascular zones, dilated capillaries, and hemorrhages was examined on the fourth digit of each subject’s non-dominant (left) hand with nailfold capillaroscopy (NFC). Results After adjustment for relatively systemic factors, multivariate regression analyses showed a significant direct relationship between RNFL thickness and nailfold capillary density (OR = 1.09; p = 0.046). RNFL thickness and RPCs VD were negatively correlated with nailfold avascular zones (OR = 0.855; p = 0.007; OR = 0.596; p = 0.010). Superficial VD of parafovea was negatively associated with dilated nailfold capillaries (OR = 0.794; p = 0.012). Conclusion In healthy subjects, nailfold capillary lower density and abnormalities are associated with reduced RNFL thickness and retinal VD. The results provide a theoretical foundation for relevant studies on ocular diseases with microvascular abnormalities and could contribute to pathogenesis understanding in the future. NFC and OCTA have the potential to identify risk factors and improve accuracy of the early diagnosis and treatment of ocular diseases, even systemic diseases with any microvascular component in clinical practice. Clinical Trail Registration http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx , identifier ChiCTR 1800017875.

Involvement of the systemic microcirculation in pediatric uveitis

“…Intermediate uveitis is often accompanied by signs of inflammatory involvement of the retina such as intraocular perivasculitis, vasculitis, and periphlebitis. In contrast to other studies in adults [ 18 , 43 ], we found no apparent correlation between abnormalities in the retinal and nailfold microcirculation.…”

The research of correlation between blood pressure and nailfold capillary parameters in exercising and non-exercising pregnant women

“…12 Arterial hypertension causes lesions of variable intensity to the circulatory system. 21 Nailfold capillaroscopy revealed rarefaction of functional capillaries in the nailfold skin of pregnant women with PIH. 17 Microcirculation of the nailfold skin and retina is available for examination and analysis.…”

“…Decreased capillary density and shape changes of nailfold were associated with reduced reti-nal vessel density. 21 Normal forms of nailfold capillary loops include normal-hairpin capillary loops, normal-tortuous capillary loops while retaining the shape of the hairpin (the limbs bend but do not cross) and normal-crossing capillary loops with retaining the shape of the hairpin (the limbs cross once or twice). 1,16 Tortuous capillaries in addition to hairpin-shaped capillaries were specially set aside in this study.…”

“Dual‐pressure theory” in pathogenesis of glaucomatous optic neuropathy from the Beijing intracranial and intraocular pressure study

“…To further investigate the potential relationship between TLCPD and retinal microcirculation, we recruited 50 healthy subjects and assessed the indexes of retinal and nailfold microcirculation; the results suggested that low nailfold capillary density and abnormalities are associated with a reduced RNFL thickness and retinal vessel density, thus providing a basis for studies on ocular diseases with microvascular abnormalities [32]. Intriguingly, the manifestations of microcirculation dysfunction share typical features of Flammer syndrome, for instance, low nailfold capillary perfusion [33].…”