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Autoimmune disorders: nail signs and therapeutic approaches
Author(s) -
Sherber Noëlle S.,
Wigley Fredrick M.,
Scher Richard K.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
dermatologic therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.595
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1529-8019
pISSN - 1396-0296
DOI - 10.1111/j.1529-8019.2007.00108.x
Subject(s) - medicine , scleroderma (fungus) , fibrosis , nail (fastener) , pathology , autoimmune disease , dermatology , raynaud's disease , connective tissue disease , disease , materials science , inoculation , metallurgy
Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma, SSc) is an autoimmune disease that targets small and medium‐sized arteries and arterioles in the involved tissues, resulting in a fibrotic vasculopathy and tissue fibrosis. Several prominent nail and periungual changes are apparent in scleroderma. Examination of the nail fold capillaries can reveal the nature and extent of microvascular pathology in patients with collagen vascular disease and Raynaud's phenomenon. Among the complications stemming from Raynaud's phenomenon can be painful ischemic digital ulcers. This can be managed, and potentially prevented, through pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic means. Whereas oral calcium channel blockers remain the most convenient therapy, oral endothelin receptor antagonists and intravenous prostaglandins may be important therapeutic advances for ischemic digital vascular lesions.