scholarly journals NEMO score in nailfold videocapillaroscopy is a good tool to assess both steady state levels and overtime changes of disease activity in patients with systemic sclerosis: a comparison with the proposed composite indices for this disease status entity

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Pignataro ◽  
Wanda Maglione ◽  
Antonina Minniti ◽  
Domenico Sambataro ◽  
Gianluca Sambataro ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In previous studies, we demonstrated that the NEMO score, i.e. the cumulative number of microhaemorrhages (MHEs) and microthromboses (MTs), observed in nailfold videocapillaroscopy was a good indicator of the steady state level of disease activity (DA) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) when the European Scleroderma Study Group (EScSG) index was considered the gold standard. Aim of the study To verify whether the NEMO score could be (i) a valid tool to assess DA, even when the modified European Scleroderma Trials and Research (EUSTAR) index was considered to be the comparator, and (ii) a sensitive method to capture the DA overtime changes. Patients and methods The NEMO score and the EScSG and EUSTAR indices were contemporarily assessed at baseline (T0) and after a follow-up of 4–56 months (T1) in 98 patients with SSc. The differences (Δ) between the T1 and T0 values of the NEMO score and the EScSG and EUSTAR indices were calculated and compared to each other. Results NEMO score values were very closely correlated with the corresponding values of the EScSG and EUSTAR indices both at T0 and T1 observations (p < 0.0001 in all cases with the exception of the correlation with EScSG values at T1 (p < 0.03)). The values of the two composite DA indices were also strictly related to each other in both T0 and T1 observations (p < 0.0001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed the NEMO score had a good sensitivity and specificity in classifying patients with a predefined level of DA (scores ≥ 3.0 and ≥ 2.5 for the EScSG and EUSTAR indices, respectively, p < 0.0001 in both cases). Δ values of the NEMO score were significantly correlated with the corresponding values of both the EScSG and EUSTAR indices. Weighted Cohen’s k level of agreement between Δ values of the NEMO score and those of the EScSG and EUSTAR indices was moderate (0.55 and 0.59, respectively). Conclusions NEMO score proves to be a feasible, non-invasive, and valid tool to assess steady state levels and changes over time of DA in patients with SSc. Thus, it can represent an alternative or complementary method to measure this disease status entity in this disorder.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicoletta Del Papa ◽  
Francesca Pignataro ◽  
Wanda Maglione ◽  
Antonina Minniti ◽  
Domenico Sambataro ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) is a feasible method that allows the observation of the microvascular changes that mark the course of systemic sclerosis (SSc). In previous studies we demonstrated that the NEMO score, i.e., the cumulative number of microhaemorrhages and microthromboses, is a good indicator of the steady state level and overtime changes of disease activity (DA) in SSc.Objectives To verify whether high NEMO scores, which mirror a very active microvascular derangement in the fingers, may be associated with the subsequent development of ischemic digital ulcers (IDUs).Methods The NEMO score was assessed at baseline (T0) in 98 patients with SSc, all classified according to the ACR-EULAR criteria. Of them, 90 were females, 48 had the limited and 50 the diffuse cutaneous variant of SSc. Afterwards, the patients were closely followed up for two years, and the appearance of new IDUs recorded at any time of the follow up.The T0-NEMO score values of patients who developed IDUs were compared to those of patients who did not. A receiver operating curve (ROC) was constructed, and the area under the curve (AUC) calculated by plotting the sensitivity and 1-specificity of the different NEMO score values in predicting the subsequent development of IDUs.Results During the follow-up 38 out of 98 patients developed one or more IDUs. The NEMO score at T0 was significantly higher in those who developed IDUs with respect to those who did not [median 14.5 (95%CI 11.0-21.5), and 4.5 (95%CI 4.0-6.0), respectively, p<.0001]. The ROC curve derived from different T0-NEMO score values had an AUC of 0.79 (95%CI 0.69-0.86, p<0.0001)]. A NEMO score of ≥12 had a sensitivity of 83.3% (95%CI 71.5-91.7), and a specificity of 63.2% (95%CI 46.0-78.2), with positive (P) and negative (N) predictive (PV) values of 58.9% (95%CI 44.7-72.2), and 85.6% (71.8-94.4), respectively. A NEMO score of ≥16 had a sensitivity of 95.0% (95%CI 86.1-99.0), and a NPV of 93.4% (77.5-99.2).Conclusions Being a valid tool to measure DA levels in SSc, the NEMO score also appears to be closely related to the subsequent development of IDUs in this disease.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicoletta Del Papa ◽  
Francesca Pignataro ◽  
Wanda Maglione ◽  
Antonina Minniti ◽  
Domenico Sambataro ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundNailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) is a feasible method that allows the observation of the microvascular changes that mark the course of systemic sclerosis (SSc). In previous studies we demonstrated that the NEMO score, i.e., the cumulative number of microhaemorrhages and microthromboses, is a good indicator of the steady state level and overtime changes of disease activity (DA) in SSc.ObjectivesTo verify whether high NEMO scores, which mirror a very active microvascular derangement in the fingers, may predict the subsequent development of ischemic digital ulcers (IDUs).Methods The NEMO score was assessed at baseline (T0) in 98 patients with SSc, all classified according to the ACR-EULAR criteria. Of them, 90 were females, 48 had the limited and 50 the diffuse cutaneous variant of SSc. Afterwards, the patients were closely followed up for two years, and the appearance of new IDUs recorded at any time of the follow up.The T0-NEMO score values of patients who developed IDUs were compared to those of patients who did not. A receiver operating curve (ROC) was constructed, and the area under the curve (AUC) calculated by plotting the sensitivity and 1-specificity of the different NEMO score values in predicting the subsequent development of IDUs.Results During the follow-up 38 out of 98 patients developed one or more IDUs. The NEMO score at T0 was significantly higher in those who developed IDUs with respect to those who did not [median 14.5 (95%CI 11.0-21.5), and 4.5 (95%CI 4.0-6.0), respectively, p<.0001]. The ROC curve derived from different T0-NEMO score values had an AUC of 0.79 (95%CI 0.69-0.86, p<0.0001)]. A NEMO score of ≥12 had a sensitivity of 83.3% (95%CI 71.5-91.7), and a specificity of 63.2% (95%CI 46.0-78.2), with positive (P) and negative (N) predictive (PV) values of 58.9% (95%CI 44.7-72.2), and 85.6% (71.8-94.4), respectively. A NEMO score of ≥16 had a sensitivity of 95.0% (95%CI 86.1-99.0), and a NPV of 93.4% (77.5-99.2).ConclusionsBeing a valid tool to measure DA levels in SSc, the NEMO score also appears to be good predictive instrument to predict future development of IDUs in this disease.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicoletta Del Papa ◽  
Francesca Pignataro ◽  
Wanda Maglione ◽  
Antonina Minniti ◽  
Domenico Sambataro ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) is a feasible method that allows the observation of the microvascular changes that mark the course of systemic sclerosis (SSc). In previous studies, we demonstrated that the NEMO score, i.e. the cumulative number of microhaemorrhages and microthromboses, is a good indicator of the steady-state level and overtime changes of disease activity (DA) in SSc. Objectives To verify whether high NEMO scores, which mirror a very active microvascular derangement in the fingers, may be associated with the subsequent development of ischaemic digital ulcers (IDUs). Methods The NEMO score was assessed at baseline (T0) in 98 patients with SSc, all classified according to the ACR-EULAR criteria. Of them, 90 were females, 48 had the limited and 50 had the diffuse cutaneous variant of SSc. Afterwards, the patients were closely followed up for 2 years, and the appearance of new IDUs recorded at any time of the follow-up. The T0-NEMO score values of patients who developed IDUs were compared to those of patients who did not. A receiver operating curve (ROC) was constructed, and the area under the curve (AUC) calculated by plotting the sensitivity and 1-specificity of the different NEMO score values in predicting the subsequent development of IDUs. Results During the follow-up, 38 out of 98 patients developed one or more IDUs. The NEMO score at T0 was significantly higher in those who developed IDUs with respect to those who did not [median 14.5 (95% CI 11.0–21.5) and 4.5 (95% CI 4.0–6.0), respectively, p < 0.0001]. The ROC curve derived from different T0-NEMO score values had an AUC of 0.79 (95% CI 0.69–0.86, p < 0.0001). A NEMO score of ≥ 12 had a sensitivity of 83.3% (95% CI 71.5–91.7) and a specificity of 63.2% (95% CI 46.0–78.2), with positive (P) and negative (N) predictive (PV) values of 58.9% (95% CI 44.7–72.2) and 85.6% (71.8–94.4), respectively. A NEMO score of ≥ 16 had a sensitivity of 95.0% (95% CI 86.1–99.0) and a NPV of 93.4% (77.5–99.2). Conclusions Being a valid tool to measure DA levels in SSc, the NEMO score also appears to be closely related to the subsequent development of IDUs in this disease.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicoletta Del Papa ◽  
Francesca Pignataro ◽  
Wanda Maglione ◽  
Antonina Minniti ◽  
Domenico Sambataro ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) is a feasible method that allows the observation of the microvascular changes that mark the course of systemic sclerosis (SSc). In previous studies we demonstrated that the NEMO score, i.e., the cumulative number of microhaemorrhages and microthromboses, is a good indicator of the steady state level and overtime changes of disease activity (DA) in SSc.Objectives To verify whether high NEMO scores, which mirror a very active microvascular derangement in the fingers, may be associated with the subsequent development of ischemic digital ulcers (IDUs).Methods The NEMO score was assessed at baseline (T0) in 98 patients with SSc, all classified according to the ACR-EULAR criteria. Of them, 90 were females, 48 had the limited and 50 the diffuse cutaneous variant of SSc. Afterwards, the patients were closely followed up for two years, and the appearance of new IDUs recorded at any time of the follow up.The T0-NEMO score values of patients who developed IDUs were compared to those of patients who did not. A receiver operating curve (ROC) was constructed, and the area under the curve (AUC) calculated by plotting the sensitivity and 1-specificity of the different NEMO score values in predicting the subsequent development of IDUs.Results During the follow-up 38 out of 98 patients developed one or more IDUs. The NEMO score at T0 was significantly higher in those who developed IDUs with respect to those who did not [median 14.5 (95%CI 11.0-21.5), and 4.5 (95%CI 4.0-6.0), respectively, p<.0001]. The ROC curve derived from different T0-NEMO score values had an AUC of 0.79 (95%CI 0.69-0.86, p<0.0001)]. A NEMO score of ≥12 had a sensitivity of 83.3% (95%CI 71.5-91.7), and a specificity of 63.2% (95%CI 46.0-78.2), with positive (P) and negative (N) predictive (PV) values of 58.9% (95%CI 44.7-72.2), and 85.6% (71.8-94.4), respectively. A NEMO score of ≥16 had a sensitivity of 95.0% (95%CI 86.1-99.0), and a NPV of 93.4% (77.5-99.2).Conclusions Being a valid tool to measure DA levels in SSc, the NEMO score also appears to be closely related to the subsequent development of IDUs in this disease.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicoletta Del Papa ◽  
Francesca Pignataro ◽  
Wanda Maglione ◽  
Antonina Minniti ◽  
Domenico Sambataro ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundNailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) is a feasible method that allows the observation of the microvascular changes that mark the course of systemic sclerosis (SSc). In previous studies we demonstrated that the NEMO score, i.e., the cumulative number of microhaemorrhages and microthromboses, is a good indicator of the steady state level and overtime changes of disease activity (DA) in SSc.ObjectivesTo verify whether high NEMO scores, which mirror a very active microvascular derangement in the fingers, may be associated with the subsequent development of ischemic digital ulcers (IDUs).Methods The NEMO score was assessed at baseline (T0) in 98 patients with SSc, all classified according to the ACR-EULAR criteria. Of them, 90 were females, 48 had the limited and 50 the diffuse cutaneous variant of SSc. Afterwards, the patients were closely followed up for two years, and the appearance of new IDUs recorded at any time of the follow up.The T0-NEMO score values of patients who developed IDUs were compared to those of patients who did not. A receiver operating curve (ROC) was constructed, and the area under the curve (AUC) calculated by plotting the sensitivity and 1-specificity of the different NEMO score values in predicting the subsequent development of IDUs.Results During the follow-up 38 out of 98 patients developed one or more IDUs. The NEMO score at T0 was significantly higher in those who developed IDUs with respect to those who did not [median 14.5 (95%CI 11.0-21.5), and 4.5 (95%CI 4.0-6.0), respectively, p<.0001]. The ROC curve derived from different T0-NEMO score values had an AUC of 0.79 (95%CI 0.69-0.86, p<0.0001)]. A NEMO score of ≥12 had a sensitivity of 83.3% (95%CI 71.5-91.7), and a specificity of 63.2% (95%CI 46.0-78.2), with positive (P) and negative (N) predictive (PV) values of 58.9% (95%CI 44.7-72.2), and 85.6% (71.8-94.4), respectively. A NEMO score of ≥16 had a sensitivity of 95.0% (95%CI 86.1-99.0), and a NPV of 93.4% (77.5-99.2).ConclusionsBeing a valid tool to measure DA levels in SSc, the NEMO score also appears to be closely related to the subsequent development of IDUs in this disease.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 700.1-701
Author(s):  
N. Del Papa ◽  
F. Pignataro ◽  
W. Maglione ◽  
A. Minniti ◽  
D. Sambataro ◽  
...  

Background:Nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) is a feasible method that allows the observation and follow-up of the microvascular changes that mark the course of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). In previous studies, we demonstrated that the NEMO score, namely the cumulative Number of microhaEMOrrhages and microthromboses, is a good indicator of the steady state level and over time changes of disease activity (DA) in SSc (1-3).Objectives:To verify whether a high NEMO score, and then a high level of active microvascular derangement in the fingers may be predictive of the subsequent development of ischemic digital ulcers (IDUs).Methods:The NEMO score was assessed at baseline (T0) in 98 patients affected by SSc, according to the ACR-EULAR criteria. Out of them, 90 were females, 48 had the limited form and 50 the diffuse cutaneous variant of SSc. ACA and anti-Scl-70 antibodies were positive in 42 and 50 patients, respectively. The NVC pattern was early, active and late in 16, 42 and 40 patients, respectively.Afterwards, patients were closely followed up for 3 years, and the appearance of new IDUs was recorded in any time of the follow up.The T0-NEMO score values of patients who developed IDUs were compared to those of patients who did not. A receiver operating curve (ROC) was constructed, and the area under the curve (AUC) calculated, by plotting the sensitivity and 1-specificity of the different NEMO score values in predicting the development of IDUs.Results:During the follow up, 38 out of 98 patients developed one or more DUs. The NEMO score at T0 was significantly higher in those who developed IDUs with respect to those who did not [median 14.5 (CI 11.0-21.5), and 4.5 (CI 4.0-6.0), respectively, p<.0001]. The AUC was 0.79 (CI 0.69-0.86, p<0.0001). A NEMO score of 12 or more had a sensitivity of 83.3 (CI 71.5-91.7), and a specificity of 63.2 (CI 46.0-78.2), with positive (P) and negative (N) predictive values (PV) of 59.1 (CI 44.9-72.3), and 85.6 (CI 71.7-94.3), respectively. A NEMO score of 16 or more had a sensitivity of 95.0 (CI 86.1-99.0), and a NPV of 93.3 (CI 77.4-99.2).Conclusion:NEMO score is not only a valid tool to assess the level of DA in the course of SSc, but this NVC parameter could also be used as a good predictor of the future development of IDUs in patients with this disease.References:[1]Sambataro et al. Arthritis Res Ther 2014;16:462-69[2]Andracco et al. Arthritis Res Ther 2017;19:133-41[3]Pignataro et al. Arthritis Res Ther. 2019;21(1):258Disclosure of Interests:Nicoletta Del Papa: None declared, Francesca Pignataro: None declared, Wanda Maglione: None declared, Antonina Minniti: None declared, Domenico Sambataro: None declared, Gianluca Sambataro: None declared, Gabriele Valentini Grant/research support from: BMS, MSD, NOVARTIS, LILLY, PFIZER, ABBVIE, CELGENE, Claudio Vitali: None declared, Roberto Caporali Consultant of: AbbVie; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Lilly; Merck Sharp & Dohme; Celgene; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Pfizer; UCB, Speakers bureau: Abbvie; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Celgene; Lilly; Gilead Sciences, Inc; MSD; Pfizer; Roche; UCB


2006 ◽  
Vol 80 (12) ◽  
pp. 5886-5896 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica Sanchez ◽  
Deborah H. Spector

ABSTRACT We have previously shown that the addition of the cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) inhibitor Roscovitine at the beginning of infection of cells with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) significantly disrupts immediate-early gene expression and the progression of the infection. In the present study, we have examined the effects of cdk inhibition on late viral events by delaying addition of Roscovitine until 24 h postinfection. Although viral DNA replication was inhibited two- to threefold by treatment of infected cells with Roscovitine, the drop did not correspond to the 1- to 2-log-unit decrease in virus titer. Quantification of viral DNA in the supernatant from cells revealed that there was a significant reduction in the production or release of extracellular particles. We observed a lag in the expression of several viral proteins but there was a significant decrease in the steady-state levels of IE2-86. Likewise, the steady-state level of the essential tegument protein UL32 (pp150) was reduced. The levels of pp150 and IE2-86 mRNA were not greatly affected by treatment with Roscovitine and thus did not correlate with the reduced levels of protein. In contrast, the expression of the tegument protein ppUL69 was higher in drug-treated samples, and the protein accumulated in a hyperphosphorylated form. ppUL69 localized to intranuclear aggregates that did not overlap with viral replication centers in cells treated with Roscovitine. Taken together, these data indicate that cdk activity is required at multiple steps during HCMV infection, including the expression, modification, and localization of virus-encoded proteins.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document