There are a number of methods of evaluating digital blood flow in the vascular laboratory but none fulfills the criteria of providing a quick and reproducible diagnostic test for Raynaud's phenomenon. We present our experience with the use of high frequency ultrasound to provide direct real time imaging of the digital arteries. Using this method and a standardised cold challenge test, consisting of exposure of the hand to a temperature of 10 degrees C for 5 minutes, it is possible to distinguish patients with Raynaud's phenomenon from normal controls on the basis of extent of digital artery closure. The mean fall in digital artery diameter on cold challenge, expressed as a percentage of the original diameter, was 92.4% (S.D. = 16.4, S.E.M. = 2.1) in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon as against 8.7% (S.D. = 11.5, S.E.M. = 2.5) in a group of normal volunteers. Using a 45% fall in digital artery diameter as the diagnostic cut-off point, the test has a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 96.6% in differentiating patients with Raynaud's phenomenon from controls. It is suggested that the test could be used as objective confirmation of a clinical diagnosis and to assess the efficacy of therapeutic interventions.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0950-821x(05)80592-4 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Raynaud Syndrome Associated with Medication for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Systematic Review.
CNS Drugs
January 2025
Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, Centre for Innovation in Mental Health, School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
Background: Raynaud syndrome (RS) is a peripheral vasculopathy characterised be impaired acral perfusion typically manifesting as skin discolouration with pallor, cyanosis and/or erythema, and increased sensitivity to cold. RS may be primary or secondary to systemic disease, lifestyle and environmental factors or medication. RS has been reported with medication to treat ADHD, but we found no recent comprehensive overview of the literature.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEULAR recommendations for the treatment of systemic sclerosis: 2023 update.
Ann Rheum Dis
January 2025
Department of Rheumatology, Université Paris Cité UFR de Médecine, Paris, France.
Objectives: To update the 2017 European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) recommendations for treatment of systemic sclerosis (SSc), incorporating new evidence and therapies.
Methods: An international task force was convened in line with EULAR standard operating procedures. A nominal group technique exercise was performed in two rounds to define questions underpinning a subsequent systematic literature review.
Pulmonary fibrosis as the sole manifestation of anti-Ku antibody positivity in the absence of myositis: A case report.
Respir Med Case Rep
January 2025
Department of Rheumatology of Lucania - UOSD of Rheumatology, "Madonna delle Grazie" Hospital, Matera, Italy.
Background: Anti-Ku antibodies are autoantibodies directed against the Ku protein complex involved in DNA repair. They are typically associated with overlap syndromes featuring polymyositis and systemic sclerosis. Isolated pulmonary involvement without myositis is exceedingly rare.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDiffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage Associated With Anti-PL-7 Antisynthetase Syndrome: A Case Report.
Case Rep Pulmonol
January 2025
Prisma Health, University of South Carolina-School of Medicine, Columbia, South Carolina, USA.
Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is a potentially life-threatening condition which can present with hemoptysis, diffuse alveolar infiltrates, anemia, and hypoxic respiratory failure. Antisynthetase syndrome (AS) is a rare autoimmune disorder most often characterized by nonerosive arthritis, proximal muscle weakness with elevated muscle enzymes, Raynaud's phenomenon, hyperkeratosis of the digits (mechanic's hands), and interstitial lung disease. According to large population studies, AS has an annual incidence of 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPrimary Raynaud's Phenomenon.
J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect
January 2025
Rochester Regional Health, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, USA.
The authors present a clinical image of primary Raynaud's phenomenon and briefly review its pathophysiology, differential diagnosis, and need for longitudinal follow up.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!