Videocapillaroscopy in Diabetes

Abstract

Capillaroscopy is a method of recognized value in the study of morphological and functional abnormalities of the microcirculation. Its use in the clinical field dates from the early twentieth century,1 extending the clinical applications gradually over the years,2,3 to be considered a “routine investigation” in (nowadays) rheumatological practice. The introduction of videocapillaroscopy with optical probes in contact resulted in a significant leap forward in the study of microcirculation.4,5 Videocapillaroscopy is indicated in all diseases whose pathogenesis recognizes anatomical and/or functional abnormalities in microcirculation.6 The advantages of capillaroscopy can be identified in the absence of invasiveness, in its remarkable sensitivity and specificity together with ease procedure and speed execution time. The relatively videocapillaroscopy low cost could be considered another big advantage of
this procedure.