J Korean Soc Biol Psychiatry.  1999 Jul;6(1):111-118.

Relationships between Nailfold Plexus Visibility and Clinical Variables in Adult Schizophrenics

• Kang DY
• Chang HY
• Kang SS

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
There have been several evidences that the central nervous system defect is one of the etiologic factors in schizophrenia and high nailfold plexus visibility can reflect indirectly. These are particularly related to the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. In this study, we examined the relationship between nailfold plexus visibility and various clinical variables in schizophrenia.
METHODS
Forty patients(20 males, 20 females) satisfying the DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia and forty normal controls(20 males, 20 females) were measured for Plexus Visualization Score(PVS) by using capillary microscopic examination. We used Positive and negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS). Uimann-Giovannoni Process-Reactive Questionnaire(PRQ), Phillips Premorbid Adjustment Scale(PAS). Continuous Performance Test, and Backward Masking for psychopathology and clinical variables.
RESULTS
There was no significant relationship between schizophrenic subjects and normal controls in PVS. PVS was correlated with PANSS positively except negative symptom subscore. PVS was correlated with PRQ score negatively, and with PAS score positively.
CONCLUSIONS
This study shows high PVS are associated with more severe psychotic symptoms and with clinical variables, such as disease process and premorbid adjustment, in some schizophrenics.

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Capillaries
Central Nervous System
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Humans
Male
Masks
Psychopathology
Schizophrenia