Chromosome aberrations in Raynaud's phenomenon.

We evaluated the occurrence of spontaneous chromosome damage in cultured peripheral lymphocytes of subjects with idiopathic and pre-scleroderma Raynaud's phenomenon, by means of molecular cytogenetic analysis. Using the micronucleus assay as a marker of chromosome alteration, we studied 30 patients with pre-scleroderma Raynaud's phenomenon, 30 patients with idiopathic Raynaud's phenomenon and 30 healthy subjects. All subjects were classified as ANA-, ACA+ or Scl 70+.

Spontaneous chromosome damage (micronuclei) in systemic sclerosis and Raynaud's phenomenon.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of spontaneous chromosome damage in cultured peripheral lymphocytes of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), idiopathic Raynaud's phenomenon (RP), and suspected secondary RP, by means of molecular cytogenetic analysis.

Methods: We studied 43 patients with SSc, 13 with idiopathic RP, and 16 with suspected secondary RP and 25 healthy controls. As a marker of chromosome alteration we used the micronucleus (MN) assay.