2020
Physiological Measurement, Q3
Article
Objective. Instrumental identification of proximal scleroderma, which is necessary for the early diagnosis of systemic sclerosis (SSD), has not yet been developed. The aim of this study was to assess the potential diagnostic value of the imaging photoplethysmography (IPPG) method in patients with SSD. Approach. The study enrolled 19 patients with SSD and 21 healthy subjects matched by age and sex with the patients. Spatial distribution of capillary-blood-flow parameters and their dynamics was estimated in the facial area of patients and subjects. In the IPPG system, a 40-s video of the subject's face illuminated by green polarized light was recorded with a monochrome digital camera in synchronization with the electrocardiogram. Experimental data were processed by using custom software allowing assessment of an arrival time of the blood pressure wave (PAT), an amplitude of pulsatile component (APC) of the photoplethysmographic waveform, and their variability. Main results. Our study has revealed significant increase of PAT variability in patients with SSD compared to the control group: 52+47 ms vs 24+13 ms (P = 0.01). Similarly, the variability of PPG-pulse shape was larger in patients with SSD: 0.13+0.07 % vs 0.09+0.02 % (P < 0.001). In addition, patients with scleroderma showed significantly greater degree of asymmetry of APC parameter than the control group: 17.7+9.7 vs 7.9+5.0 (P < 0.001). At the same time, no correlation was found between the photoplethysmographic waveformparameters and either the form or duration of the disease. No relationship between the characteristics of the PPG waveform and the modified Rodnan skin score was found, as well. Significance. Novel instrumental markers found in our pilot study showed that the IPPG method can be used for diagnosing the systemic sclerosis in the early stages of the disease.