P82 Impaired Skin Microvascular Function in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

Objectives: Alterations in skin microcirculation have been associated with damage in various microvascular beds [1]. Endothelial dysfunction in microcirculation plays a central role in the pathophysiology of rheumatic diseases, contributing substantially to the increased cardiovascular risk of these patients. Laser speckle contrast analysis (LASCA) is a novel non-invasive technique that can be used to evaluate endothelial function of skin microcirculation [2]. Previous studies have shown impaired skin endothelial function in patients with systemic sclerosis. To our knowledge, no previous study has evaluated skin microcirculation in patients with SLE using LASCA [3,4]. Design and Methods: Fifty-two individuals (25 SLE patients and 27 matched controls) were studied. In all subjects, forearm skin blood flow was recorded under standardized conditions using a laser speckle contrast imager (PeriCam PSI NR System, Perimed). Post-occlusive reactive hyperemia (PORH) was assessed following a standardized protocol and data were analyzed with signal processing software (PIMSoft, Perimed). The amplitude of PORH responses was expressed as a percentage increase between peak and baseline perfusion (%). Results: There were no differences among the two groups in age, sex, body mass index and hypertension status. Post occlusion reperfusion in SLE patients, was significantly lower as compared to non-SLE controls (155.5 ± 53.1 vs 194.5 ± 40.5% respectively, p = 0.004). Conclusion: Patients with SLE demonstrate impaired skin microvascular endothelial function, providing a link that could explain the increased cardiovascular risk that these patients bear.