Fig. 1.

The hypothesised (vicious) cycle of inter-relationships between different SSc-skin features. The imaging/measurement technique for each feature is shown in the montage below the cycle: a) capillaroscopy showing normal (top) and abnormal capillary structure (below) b) laser Doppler imaging: healthy control (left), patient with SSc (centre), regions of interest for distal-dorsal difference (right) c) white-light absorption spectra of combined oxy- and deoxy-haemoglobin. Occluded finger measurements taken between 30 s (light-blue) to 2 mins (dark-blue [top]); d) UV-spectroscopy. Skin spectra from healthy control (red) and patient with SSc (blue) indicate oxidative stress; e) ultrasound of skin thickness.