Nailfold Capillaroscopy

[jasonjuul]

Hi,

My fifteen year old daughter, who was diagnosed with MCTD in 2003 when she was 8, is being treated and closely monitored by her Pediatric Rheumatologist. One thing the rheumy checks on all our office visits is my daughter's nailfold capillaries. Over time they have actually improved quite a bit. He described them at their worst as being torturous. My understanding is that the state of these capillaries is actually an indicator of the disease activity.

Is this something that your rheumatologist checks on a regular basis, the nailfold capillaries, that is? Is my understanding correct, that the state of these capillaries provides a window into the disease activity?

Thanks,
John
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MCTD, Daughter, Dx'd 2003 at age 8