“You can leave your mask on”: effects on cardiopulmonary parameters of different airway protection masks at rest and during maximal exercise

2021 ◽  
pp. 2004473
Author(s):  
Massimo Mapelli ◽  
Elisabetta Salvioni ◽  
Fabiana De Martino ◽  
Irene Mattavelli ◽  
Paola Gugliandolo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Rate ◽  
Maximal Exercise ◽  
Pulmonary Function Tests ◽  
Peak Exercise ◽  
Slight Reduction ◽  
Airway Protection ◽  
Borg Scale ◽  
Exercise Tests ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Ventilatory Limitation

BackgroundDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of protection masks is essential to reduce contagions. However, public opinion reports an associated subjective shortness of breath. We evaluated cardiorespiratory parameters at rest and during maximal exertion to highlight any differences with the use of protection masks.MethodsTwelve healthy subjects underwent three cardiopulmonary exercise tests: without wearing protection mask, with surgical and with FFP2 mask. Dyspnea was assessed by Borg Scale. Standard pulmonary function tests were also performed.ResultsAll the subjects (40.8±12.4 years; 6 males) completed the protocol with no adverse event. At spirometry, from no mask to surgical to FFP2, a progressive reduction of FEV1 and FVC was observed (3.94±0.91 l, 3.23±0.81 l, 2.94±0.98 l and 4.70±1.21 l, 3.77±1.02 l, 3.52±1.21 l, respectively, p<0.001). Rest ventilation, O2 uptake (V̇O2) and CO2 production (VCO2) were progressively lower with a reduction of respiratory rate. At peak exercise, subjects revealed a progressively higher Borg scale when wearing surgical and FFP2. Accordingly, at peak exercise, V̇O2 (31.0±23.4, 27.5±6.9, 28.2±8.8 ml/kg/min, p=0.001), ventilation (92±26, 76±22, 72±21 l, p=0.003), respiratory rate (42±8, 38±5, 37±4, p=0.04) and tidal volume (2.28±0.72, 2.05±0.60, 1.96±0.65 l, p=0.001) were gradually lower. We did not observed a significant difference in oxygen saturation.ConclusionsProtection masks are associated with significant but modest worsening of spirometry and cardiorespiratory parameters at rest and peak exercise. The effect is driven by a ventilation reduction due to an increased airflow resistance. However, since exercise ventilatory limitation is far from being reached, their use is safe even during maximal exercise, with a slight reduction in performance.

Biochemical Markers of Ovarian Reserve in Females, Effect of Exercise on Such Reserves

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. 2260-2262
Author(s):  
Ayesha Zubair ◽  
Anas Khalil ◽  
Hassan Jamil ◽  
Anam Rehman ◽  
Bashir Ahmed Shaheen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Aerobic Exercise ◽  
Ovarian Reserve ◽  
Biochemical Markers ◽  
Exercise Group ◽  
Slight Reduction ◽  
Heavy Exercise ◽  
Exercise Tests ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Sedentary Life

Background: Female who are in fertile period of their life and prefer a sedentary life style rather than performing regular physical exercise, whether light or heavy exercise show different hormonal pattern which effect their physical health. Such hormonal changes are directly related to the level of ovarian reserve of hormones which are negatively affected by lack of exercise. The ovarian pool of hormones decline with age and also lack of physical exercise. Among the large pool of biochemical markers AMH (anti-mullerian hormone) appears to be the most important and helpful indicator of ovarian reserve. Inclusion criteria: Healthy females between 25 to 35 years of age were included in the study. Exclusion criteria: Females below 25 years and above 35 years of age were excluded from the study, in addition those females having some medical problem or using some medication were also excluded from the study. Material and Methods: 20 females consented to participate in the study who were divided in two groups. These females were living a sedentary life before they joined the gymnasium. One group was subjected to light aerobic exercise and other group to heavy physical exercise. Tests before the start of study were conducted and were repeated after 08 weeks of study to observe the effect of both exercises on the ovarian reserves of different hormones. Results: The comparison between both groups were observed, the values before and after exercise has a remarkable difference, a decrease in values were observed in body weight, BMI, waist and hip ratio after exercise. Slight reduction in E2 and FSH level after aerobic exercises was observed. Whereas in heavy exercise group significant difference i.e. increase in level of FSH was observed at the same time, significant decrease in AMH level was also observed. The difference between E2 and LH had no significance in heavy exercise group. Conclusion: Those females who were living sedentary life and performed light aerobic exercise, even for a longer time period did not showed significant change in the E2, LH, FSH and AMH level of hormones. However, heavy exercise reduces the level of AMH and increases the level of FSH. These finding suggest heavy exercise may affect fertility in a negative way especially in females with low ovarian reserves. Keywords: Exercise, spinning, ovarian reserve, AMHh anti-mullerian hormone

Left ventricular hemodynamics during exercise recovery

1990 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 104-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. C. Johnson ◽  
T. L. Hudson ◽  
E. R. Greene
Keyword(s):  
Stroke Volume ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Peak Exercise ◽  
Stroke Index ◽  
Exercise Recovery ◽  
Early Recovery ◽  
Exercise Tests ◽  
Measured Variable ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Ergometer Exercise

The directional response of human left ventricular stroke volume during exercise recovery is unclear. Stroke volume has been reported to increase and decrease over exercise values during early recovery. The confounding variable may be posture. With the use of pulsed Doppler ultrasound, we tested the hypothesis that there is a significant difference between seated and supine stroke index (SI) during passive recovery from seated ergometer exercise. Thirteen subjects aged 26 +/- 2 yr performed two seated cycle ergometer exercise tests to 70% of predicted maximum heart rate (HR). Recovery was supine on one test and seated on the other. Cardiac index (CI), HR, and SI were calculated during rest, exercise, and 10 min of recovery. At rest, SI and CI were significantly (P less than 0.01) less and HR significantly (P less than 0.01) greater when the subjects were seated than when they were supine. At the last exercise work load, no significant differences were found in any measured variable between tests. During recovery, supine SI was maximal 180 s postexercise (99 +/- 14 ml/m2) and exceeded (P less than 0.01) resting supine (81 +/- 14 ml/m2) and peak exercise (77 +/- 14 ml/m2) SI by 22 and 29%, respectively. Seated SI was constant at peak exercise levels for 2 min. Seated and supine recovery CI never exceeded exercise values. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure recovery curves were similar in the two postures. We conclude that posture significantly affects SI during recovery from submaximal seated exercise. These results have implications for choice of recovery posture after stress testing in cardiac patients where it is desirable to minimize ventricular loading.

scholarly journals Metabolic Response to Submaximal and Maximal Exercise in People with Severe Obesity, Prediabetes, and Diabetes

Obesity Facts ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Francesca Battista ◽  
Anna Belligoli ◽  
Daniel Neunhaeuserer ◽  
Andrea Gasperetti ◽  
Silvia Bettini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Maximal Exercise ◽  
Metabolic Response ◽  
Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing ◽  
Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test ◽  
Peak Exercise ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cardiopulmonary Exercise ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Metabolic Inflexibility

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Metabolic adaptations to maximal physical exercise in people with obesity (PwO) are scarcely described. This cross-sectional study evaluates the metabolic response to exercise via the respiratory exchange ratio (RER) in PwO and different degrees of glycemic control. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Eighty-five PwO (body mass index 46.0 [39.0–54.0] kg/m<sup>2</sup>), that is, 32 normoglycemic (Ob-N), 25 prediabetic (Ob-preDM), and 28 diabetic (Ob-T2DM) subjects and 18 healthy subjects performed an incremental, maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test. The RER was measured at rest (RERrest) and at peak exercise (RERpeak). <b><i>Results:</i></b> RERpeak was significantly higher in healthy subjects than that in PwO. Among those, RERpeak was significantly higher in Ob-N than that in Ob-preDM and Ob-T2DM (1.20 [1.15–1.27] vs. 1.18 [1.10–1.22] <i>p</i> = 0.04 and vs. 1.14 [1.10–1.18] <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001, respectively). Accordingly, ΔRER (RERpeak-RERrest) was lower in Ob-preDM and Ob-T2DM than that in Ob-N (0.32 [0.26–0.39] <i>p</i> = 0.04 and 0.29 [0.24–0.36] <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001 vs. 0.38 [0.32–0.43], respectively), while no significant difference was found in ΔRER between Ob-preDM and Ob-T2DM and not even between Ob-N and healthy subjects. Moreover, ΔRER in PwO correlated with glucose area under curve (<i>p</i> = 0.002). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> PwO demonstrate restricted metabolic response during maximal exercise. Particularly, those with prediabetes already show metabolic inflexibility during exercise, similarly to those with type 2 diabetes. These findings also suggest a potential role of cardiopulmonary exercise testing in detecting early metabolic alterations in PwO.

Long-term reproducibility of Borg scale estimates of breathlessness during exercise

1991 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 309-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel C. Wilson ◽  
P. W. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Minute Ventilation ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Work Rate ◽  
Borg Scale ◽  
Exercise Tests ◽  
Reliable Technique ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Relationship

1. The intensity of breathlessness in normal subjects during exercise was measured on seven occasions over a 40-week study period to assess the long-term repeatability of Borg scale estimates of breathlessness. 2. In all subjects there was a significant correlation (P = 0.0001) between breathlessness and minute ventilation. Minute ventilation measured at each work rate did not differ between the seven exercise tests (P >0.05). 3. There was no significant difference between the mean Borg scores (measured with respect to a given level of ventilation) in 5 of the 7 test weeks (P >0.05). The slope of the relationship Borg score/minute ventilation did not differ between the seven exercise tests (P >0.05). 4. Breathlessness estimation was highly reproducible both after 1 week and after 40 weeks of the study (both P >0.05). 5. The duration without testing between consecutive tests did not affect reproducibility: the mean Borg score was as equally reproducible after an interval of 22 weeks without testing as after an interval of 1 week (P >0.05). 6. The Borg scale provides a reliable technique for studying the sensation of breathlessness over extended time periods.

scholarly journals Peculiarities of Central and Peripheral Changes at Onset of Dosed and Maximal Exercise Tests

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (86) ◽  
Author(s):  
Birutė Zacharienė ◽  
Jonas Poderys ◽  
Eugenijus Trinkūnas ◽  
Alfonsas Buliuolis
Keyword(s):  
Oxygen Saturation ◽  
Cardiovascular System ◽  
Exercise Test ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Maximal Exercise ◽  
Arterial Blood Flow ◽  
Maximal Exercise Test ◽  
Exercise Tests ◽  
Arterial Blood ◽  
Significant Difference

Research background and hypothesis. Since varying types of physical workloads activate different physiological system activity at different degree, during dosed and maximal exercises the total effects can highlight the properties of central and peripheral mechanisms and reveal significant synergies between the central and peripheral cardiovascular processes. Research aim was to determine the peculiarities of central and peripheral indices of cardiovascular system while performing dosed and maximal exercise tests. Research methods. Two groups took part in the study – sportsmen-sprinters (16) and sportsmen – endurance group (11). The participants of the study performed Roufier exercise and 30 s maximal jump test with maximal efforts. The 12-leads ECG was registered continuously and the changes of heart rate (HR), JT interval and ratio JT/RR were analysed. Near-infrared spectroscopy was employed for continuous registration of the changes in oxygen saturation (StO 2 ) and arterial blood flow.Research  results.  The  results  obtained  during  the  study  showed  increasingly  changing  ECG  indices  while performing exercise load in both athlete groups but there was no statistically significant difference between groups while performing maximal exercise, thus oxygen saturation and arterial blood flow was statistically significantly faster and decreased more in sprint athlete group. Discussion  and  conclusion.  Dosed  and  maximal  exercise  test  indicated  the  peculiarities  of  cardiovascular function of athletes, although more differences between individual peculiarities of athletes can be revealed while performing a dosed exercise test and still more differences – while the maximal exercise tests are performed and during the recovery after exercising.Keywords: dosed and maximal exercise test, cardiovascular system, endurance, sprint.

Mechanisms of airway protection after pharyngeal fluid infusion in healthy sleeping piglets

1995 ◽  
Vol 78 (5) ◽  
pp. 1942-1949 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Page ◽  
H. E. Jeffery ◽  
V. Marks ◽  
E. J. Post ◽  
A. K. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Respiratory Rate ◽  
Test Fluid ◽  
Distilled Water ◽  
Airway Protection ◽  
Quiet Sleep ◽  
Protective Mechanisms ◽  
Fluid Infusion ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Common Response

The airway protective mechanisms evoked after infusion of fluids into the pharynx were examined in the intact and healthy newborn piglet during sleep. Thirteen healthy normothermic piglets (3–6 days of age) were examined on 4 consecutive days during sleep. The fluids infused (0.05–1.5 ml) were 0.9% saline, distilled water, and HCl (pH 3 and pH 2). Respiratory rate, heart rate, oxygen saturation (SaO2), swallowing, and arousal were compared pre- and postinfusion during active (AS) and quiet sleep (QS) for each test fluid. The most common response in AS and QS was swallowing (90%) and then arousal (24%); however, no apnea occurred, and respiratory rate and SaO2 were always maintained. A significant difference occurred between HCl infusions of pH 2 and pH 3; at pH 2, the frequency of swallows and latency to the first swallow were reduced (P < 0.05) and the frequency of arousal was reduced in AS compared with that in QS (P < 0.01). Airway protection after pharyngeal fluid stimulation is achieved primarily by swallowing and arousal, without any effect on respiratory rate and SaO2. Attenuation of protective mechanisms occurred, however, when the infusate was at pH 2.

Effects of Helium and 40% O2 on Graded Exercise With Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus

2003 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 910-926 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil D. Eves ◽  
Stewart R. Petersen ◽  
Richard L. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Exercise Performance ◽  
Maximal Exercise ◽  
Ventilatory Threshold ◽  
Arterial Oxygen ◽  
Peak Exercise ◽  
Helium Mixtures ◽  
Breathing Resistance ◽  
Breathing Apparatus ◽  
Graded Exercise ◽  
Ventilatory Limitation

Maximal exercise performance is decreased when breathing from a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), owing to a ventilatory limitation imposed by the increased expiratory resistance. To test the hypothesis that decreasing the density of the breathing gas would improve maximal exercise performance, we studied 15 men during four graded exercise tests with the SCBA. Participants breathed a different gas mixture during each test: normoxia (NOX; 21% O2, 79% N2), hyperoxia (HOX; 40% O2, 60% N2), normoxic helium (HE-OX; 21% O2, 79% He), and hyperoxic helium (HE-HOX; 40% O2, 60% He). Compared to NOX, power output at the ventilatory threshold and at maximal exercise significantly increased with both hyperoxic mixtures. Minute ventilation was increased at peak exercise with both helium mixtures, and maximal aerobic power ([Formula: see text]) was significantly increased by 12.9 ± 5.6%, 10.2 ± 6.3%, and 21.8 ± 5.6% with HOX, HE-OX, and HE-HOX, respectively. At peak exercise, the expired breathing resistance imposed by the SCBA was significantly decreased with both helium mixtures, and perceived respiratory distress was lower with HE-HOX. The results show that HE-OX improved maximal exercise performance by minimizing the ventilation limitation. The performance-enhancing effect of HOX may be explained by increased arterial oxygen content. Moreover, HE-HOX appeared to combine the effects of helium and hyperoxia on [Formula: see text]Key words:[Formula: see text] breathing resistance, ventilatory limitation, heliox, firefighting

scholarly journals Markers of Cardiac Autonomic Function During Consecutive Day Peak Exercise Tests in People With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maximillian J. Nelson ◽  
Jonathan D. Buckley ◽  
Rebecca L. Thomson ◽  
Clint R. Bellenger ◽  
Kade Davison
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Maximal Exercise ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Peak Exercise ◽  
Exercise Tests ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Warm Up ◽  
Fatigue Syndrome

Patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) have been shown to exhibit altered ventilatory characteristics on the second of two progressive maximal cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPET) performed on consecutive days. However, maximal exercise can exacerbate symptoms for ME/CFS patients and cause significant post-exertional malaise. Assessment of heart rate (HR) parameters known to track post-exertional fatigue may represent more effective physiological markers of the condition and could potentially negate the need for maximal exercise testing. Sixteen ME/CFS patients and 10 healthy controls underwent a sub-maximal warm-up followed by CPET on two consecutive days. Ventilation, ratings of perceived exertion, work rate (WR) and HR parameters were assessed throughout on both days. During sub-maximal warm-up, a time effect was identified for the ratio of low frequency to high frequency power of HR variability (p=0.02) during sub-maximal warm-up, and for HR at ventilatory threshold (p=0.03), with both being higher on Day Two of testing. A significant group (p&lt;0.01) effect was identified for a lower post-exercise HR recovery (HRR) in ME/CFS patients. Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis of HRR revealed an area under the curve of 74.8% (p=0.02) on Day One of testing, with a HRR of 34.5bpm maximising sensitivity (63%) and specificity (40%) suggesting while HRR values are altered in ME/CFS patients, low sensitivity and specificity limit its potential usefulness as a biomarker of the condition.

The influence of osteopathic correction on the rate of various rhythms of the body

2019 ◽  
pp. 64-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. E. Chernikova ◽  
Yu. P. Potekhina
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Respiratory Rate ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Biomechanical Properties ◽  
Dispersion Analysis ◽  
The Body ◽  
Body Tissues ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After

Introduction. An osteopathic examination determines the rate, the amplitude and the strength of the main rhythms (cardiac, respiratory and cranial). However, there are relatively few studies in the available literature dedicated to the influence of osteopathic correction (OC) on the characteristics of these rhythms.Goal of research — to study the influence of OC on the rate characteristics of various rhythms of the human body.Materials and methods. 88 adult osteopathic patients aged from 18 to 81 years were examined, among them 30 men and 58 women. All patients received general osteopathic examination. The rate of the cranial rhythm (RCR), respiratory rate (RR) heart rate (HR), the mobility of the nervous processes (MNP) and the connective tissue mobility (CTM) were assessed before and after the OC session.Results. Since age varied greatly in the examined group, a correlation analysis of age-related changes of the assessed rhythms was carried out. Only the CTM correlated with age (r=–0,28; p<0,05) in a statistically significant way. The rank dispersion analysis of Kruskal–Wallis also showed statistically significant difference in this indicator in different age groups (p=0,043). With the increase of years, the CTM decreases gradually. After the OC, the CTM, increased in a statistically significant way (p<0,0001). The RCR varied from 5 to 12 cycles/min in the examined group, which corresponded to the norm. After the OC, the RCR has increased in a statistically significant way (p<0,0001), the MNP has also increased (p<0,0001). The initial heart rate in the subjects varied from 56 to 94 beats/min, and in 15 % it exceeded the norm. After the OC the heart rate corresponded to the norm in all patients. The heart rate and the respiratory rate significantly decreased after the OC (р<0,0001).Conclusion. The described biorhythm changes after the OC session may be indicative of the improvement of the nervous regulation, of the normalization of the autonomic balance, of the improvement of the biomechanical properties of body tissues and of the increase of their mobility. The assessed parameters can be measured quickly without any additional equipment and can be used in order to study the results of the OC.

scholarly journals AB0566 NAILFOLD EXTENT OF REDUCED CAPILLARY DENSITY IS ASSOCIATED WITH DIGITAL ULCERS AND WITH AN INCREASED RISK OF DIGITAL ULCERS IN SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1580.2-1580
Author(s):  
R. De Angelis ◽  
F. Salaffi
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Sclerosis ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Quantitative Measure ◽  
Capillary Density ◽  
Optical Probe ◽  
Typical Feature ◽  
Slight Reduction ◽  
Digital Ulcers ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Significant Difference

Background:A growing evidence supports the role of microvasculopathy as a primary pathogenic event in systemic sclerosis (SSc). The most commonly used imaging technique to identify microangiopathy in SSc is high magnification videocapillaroscopy (NVC), and reduced capillary density and/or capillary loss, which is a typical feature of “scleroderma microangiopathy”, easily identified by NVC, has been associated with digital ulcers (DUs). Different approaches have been proposed to measure capillary density or capillary loss. Some of these were qualitative methods, others semi-quantitative, others only concerned a limited nailfold area, without ever evaluating the overall density, which is more suitable for quantitative estimate.Objectives:To assess the association between the extent of different values of nailfold capillary density and the presence of DUs and to identify the risk of developing DUs, based on quantitative parameters.Methods:The study involved 54 SSc selected patients (47 women and 7 men, mean age 59.5 years, 50 with limited and 4 with diffuse). The study population came from an ongoing database, that includes clinical and laboratory data of patients with definite SSc. A videocapillaroscope (VideoCap® 3.0, DS Medica, Milan, Italy) with a 200x optical probe was used. During examination, eight fingers (fingers 2–5 of each hand), 4 fields per finger, according to the standard literature were assessed. For each patient, a total of 32 images were collected, then classified as having either “normal”, “non-specific” or the “scleroderma pattern” (SP). Capillary density was defined as the number of capillaries/mm in the distal row, regardless of its shape and morphology. Avascular areas were defined by the absence of loops within a width/area extending over more than 500 microns. For each patient, the SP images were further graded with no/slight reduction of the capillary density (7-9 loops/mm) (NOR), with a well-defined reduction of capillary density (6-4 loops/mm) (RED) and with loss of capillaries (<4) plus avascular areas (AA). Then, the overall percentages were calculated (the number with SP, the number with NOR, with RED and with AA, respect to 32), thus obtaining the quantitative measures. All data were analysed using the MedCalc® version 18.6; 64-bit (MedCalc Software, Mariakerke, Belgium).Results:A total of 1728 images were analyzed. Patients with DUs were 16/54 (29.6%). All patients had a SP, but only five patients showed a SP along the entire nailfold. A comparison between patients with or without DUs showed a significant difference both for the overall extent of AA (p=0.032), and particularly for the overall extent of RED (p<0.001). No significant difference was found regarding the overall extent of the SP (p=0.085). Factor significantly associated with DUs in multivariate analysis was the overall extent of RED (p=0.0286). The ROC curve was very effective at discriminating the capillary feature able to distinguish patients with DUs from patients without DUs. The discriminatory power of the overall extent of RED was very good, with an AUC of 0.948 (95 % CI 0.852 ± 0.990). Then, we calculated the cut-off values of the overall extent of RED for presence/absence of DUs with the highest combination of sensitivity and specificity. The resulting cut-off value (Yourden index of 0.825) was >68.7 (sensitivity 92.31 %; specificity 90.24 %) with a LR+ of 9.46.Conclusion:Our data strongly support that the capillary density between 4 and 6 loops/mm is the best capillaroscopic quantitative measure associated with DUs and able to discriminate the probability of having DUs. If all SSc-specific antibodies and/or other laboratory/clinical parameters are not yet available, the overall capillary density can allow physicians to assess SSc patients easily, regarding DUs and risk for developing DUs.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

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