[Multivariate analysis as a method of determination of anthropogenic load on the course of Raynaud's disease in patients with systemic scleroderma and systemic lupus erythematosus].

AIM: To determine the effect of high industrial pollution on development of Raynaud's syndrome and impairment of pulmonary hemodynamics in patients with scleroderma systematica (SS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Two groups of patients were examined: 20 SS and 33 SLE patients living in highly polluted territories, 15 SS and 27 SLE patients living in moderately contaminated territories. The tests included capillaroscopy, thermography, rheovasography of the fingers, zonal rheopulmonography. Semiquantitative spectral analysis measured content of 3 trace elements (Ti, Ba, Li) and 16 heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, Mn, Sn, Cr, Y, Ga, Ag, Mo, Bi, Co, Cd, Fe, Zr) in the patients' hair.

RESULTS: Patients living in highly polluted areas had a severe course of Raynaud's syndrome. Metal accumulation is decisive in patients of group 1; in development of staging of Raynaud's syndrome the key role belongs to lead, nickel, tin and iron; realization of the factor of the disease activity is related to lowering of zinc, copper concentrations and growing concentration of nickel.

CONCLUSION: Vascular disorders in SS and SLE in patients living in heavily contaminated areas aggravate due to direct damage from heavy metals.