Reporting items for capillaroscopy in clinical research on musculoskeletal diseases: a systematic review and international Delphi consensus
Authors: Ingegnoli Francesca , Herrick Ariane L , Schioppo Tommaso , Bartoli Francesca , Ughi Nicola , Pauling John D , Sulli Alberto , Cutolo Maurizio , Smith Vanessa ,   the European League against Rheumatism (EULAR) study group on microcirculation in rheumatic diseases and the Scleroderma Clinical Trials Consortium, Akil Mohammed , Ancuta Codrina , Baines Colin , Bernard Imbert , Bhojani Kaushik , Blaise Sophie , Moscovici Yolanda Braun , Caporali Roberto , Chatelus Emmanuel , Chatterjee Soumya , Cracowski Jean-Luc , Csuka Mary Ellen , Angelis Rossella De , Vries-Bouwstra Jeska De , Derk Chris , Distler Oliver , Duba Ayyappa , Fernandez-Codina Andreu , Foeldvari Ivan , Frech Tracy , Guerra Miguel , Guiducci Serena , Gyger Geneviève , Hernandez-Molina Gabriela , Hesselstrand Roger , Hinze Alicia , Hsu Vivien , Hughes Michael , Inanc Murat , Irace Rosaria , Jacobsen Soren , Koenig Martial , Lenaerts Jan , LWIN Cho Mar , Makol Ashima , Martin Thierry , Lopez Maria Martin , Medina Yimy F , Merkel Peter A , Mesa Navas Miguel Antonio , Messiniti Valentina , Mihai Carina , Nadashkevich Oleg , Narain Sonali , Lambova Sevdalina Nikolova , Pelechas Eleftherios , Pizzorni Carmen , Riccardi Antonella , Riccieri Valeria , Rimar Doron , Rudnicka Lidia , Sabelli Mirtha , Sarafrazi Mojgan , Schonenberg-Meinema Dieneke , Scolnik Marina , Senécal Jean-Luc , Shenavandeh Saeedeh , Sifuentes-Giraldo Walter Alberto , Spierings Julia , Stevens Wendy , Valenzuela Antonia , Velásquez-Franco Carlos Jaime , Vila Josephine , Vilela Verônica , Vonk Madelon , Voskuyl Alexandre 
Published: July 2020

Objectives

The level of detail included when describing nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) methods varies among research studies, making interpretation and comparison of results challenging. The overarching objective of the present study was to seek consensus on the reporting standards in NVC methodology for clinical research in rheumatic diseases and to propose a pragmatic reporting checklist.

Methods

Based on the items derived from a systematic review focused on this topic, a three-step web-based Delphi consensus on minimum reporting standards in NVC was performed among members of the European League against Rheumatism (EULAR) Study Group on Microcirculation in Rheumatic Diseases and the Scleroderma Clinical Trials Consortium.

Results

A total of 319 articles were selected by the systematic review, and 46 items were proposed in the Delphi process. This Delphi exercise was completed by 80 participants from 31 countries, including Australia and countries within Asia, Europe, North America and South America. Agreement was reached on items covering three main areas: patient preparation before NVC (15 items), device description (5 items) and examination details (13 items).

Conclusion

Based on the available evidence, the description of NVC methods was highly heterogeneous in the identified studies and differed markedly on several items. A reporting checklist of 33 items, based on practical suggestions made (using a Delphi process) by international participants, has been developed to provide guidance to improve and standardize the NVC methodology to be applied in future clinical research studies.