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Capillaroscopy in patients with exposure to risk factors in the work environment and rheumatic diseases
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Keywords

capillaroscopy, occupational diseases, rheumatic diseases

How to Cite

Doncheva - Dilova, J., Kuneva, T., Pencheva, D., Emin, S., Boyadzhieva, V., & Stoilov, N. (2025). Capillaroscopy in patients with exposure to risk factors in the work environment and rheumatic diseases. Rheumatology (Bulgaria), 33(1), 80-92. https://doi.org/10.35465/33.1.2025.pp80-92

Abstract

Capillaroscopy is a non-invasive method for assessing microcirculation that provides important information about the condition of capillaries and the pericapillary space. The method is valuable for the diagnosis and monitoring of various diseases with manifestations of Raynaud's phenomenon (RP), such as systemic connective tissue diseases, diabetes, hypertension, occupational diseases and other conditions that lead to microcirculation disorders. It plays an extremely important role in the early diagnosis and prognosis of these diseases, helping to detect both functional and structural changes in the capillary network, even in cases in the absence of many characteristic clinical symptoms.

Raynaud's phenomenon is a disease characterized by reversible attacks of vasospasm leading to impaired peripheral circulation. It can be primary (idiopathic) or secondary (associated with other diseases). Capillaroscopy is the gold standard in rheumatology practice for differentiating primary from secondary Raynaud's phenomenon and has been included in the EULAR/ACR classification criteria for systemic sclerosis (SSc) since 2013. In primary RP, functional disorders of the capillaries are observed, without structural changes, while in secondary RP, which is associated with systemic, general or occupational diseases, it leads to various structural changes with characteristic signs of microangiopathy. The method has not only diagnostic, but also prognostic value in systemic sclerosis, lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, etc. Specific capillaroscopic patterns are observed - "scleroderma" and "scleroderma-like", and non-specific changes can also be detected in the early stages of the disease.

In recent years, there has been an increase in publications reporting data on various capillaroscopic findings in patients with vibration disease (VD). It is a specific occupational disease caused by prolonged exposure to vibrations, which leads to microcirculatory and peripheral nerve damage, including Raynaud's phenomenon. Studies have shown that capillaroscopy provides important information about the state of microcirculation in patients with occupationally induced microangiopathy, and more specifically in cases of exposure to local and general vibrations. The method can be used for diagnosis and monitoring of these diseases, helping to detect abnormal capillaroscopic findings, including elongated capillaries, hemorrhages, and avascular zones. Capillaroscopy, as a non-invasive method, is effective for diagnosing and monitoring the progression of diseases and can be used in combination with other functional studies to better assess the patient's condition.

https://doi.org/10.35465/33.1.2025.pp80-92
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