4th eular course on basic and advanced capillaroscopy in rheumatic diseases

Nailfold videocapillaroscopy (nv) is a safe, non-invasive routine way for the microvascular investigation. the nv is a tool that allows to distinguish between primary and secondary raynaud's phenomenon (rp) the best clinical marker of microvascular disfunction. several connective tissue diseases show characteristic nv patterns including sistemic sclerosis (ssc), dermatomyositis (dm), mixed connective tissue disease (mctd) and antiphospholipid syndrome. the nv supports the early diagnosis of connective tissue diseases. therefore, the nv has become a dynamic tool that further increases the armamentarium of the rheumatologist. nv is fundamental to explore the microvascular system and is considered useful in monitoring the progression of the microangiopathy, in assessing the disease severity and in establishing the risk of a more aggressive disease evolution as well as to monitorize the effects of therapies. the course is intended to teach the attendees the proper methodology and practical use of the capillaroscopic investigation of the nailfold bed in normal and pathological conditions at two levels of expertise. attendees meeting the nv analysis from the beginning ( basic course ) and attendees already advanced and previously trained in the nv investigation ( advanced course ). the basic attendees will learn how to distinguish the different nv patterns characterizing the major connective tissue diseases associated or not with secondary rp. the advanced attendees will improve their basic skillness with integrated lessons on practical application of nv in case resolution and therapy follow up and updated integrations to their expertise on the field. participants of both courses will be involved in theoretical and practical capillaroscopic sessions involving rheumatic patients.