Al-Azhar International Medical Journal /Al-Azhar International Medical Journal · Feb 25, 2026
Nailfold Capillaroscopic Findings Associated with Sarcopenia in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
By Mostafa FR, El-Zayat SA, Aly HM et al.
Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) represents a chronic inflammatory condition marked by symmetric polyarthritis that impacts both large and small joints, which may result in systemic inflammation as well as structural damage to joints and appendicular tissues.Objectives: To compare nailfold capillaroscopy (NFC) findings between sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic RA cases.Methods: The present cross-sectional study recruited 150 individuals with RA, who have been classified into two subgroups: Group 1 (G1): 85 RA patients without sarcopenia; Group 2 (G2): 65 RA patients with sarcopenia. Furthermore, 50 healthy individuals (matched for sex and age) served as controls (G3). All groups underwent muscle mass evaluation through dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and capillary assessment through NFC.Results: Capillary density was markedly diminished in the Sarcopenia group (6.9±1.19/mm) compared to the non-sarcopenia (7.74±1.17/mm) and Control groups (9.1±1.26/mm) (P<0.001). Angiogenesis and subpapillary venous plexus visibility reached substantially greater levels in the Sarcopenia group (50.77% and 70.77%, P<0.001). Capillary dimensions (width, length, loop diameter, venous and arterial diameters) were significantly larger in the sarcopenia cohort compared to non-sarcopenia patients and controls (P<0.001).Conclusion: RA patients with sarcopenia exhibit significant microvascular abnormalities on NFC compared to non-sarcopenia and healthy groups.