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Skin Temperature Can Aid in Identification of Raynaud's Phenomenon

Low baseline skin temperature can aid in the prediction of Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) within the general population, say researchers. Low baseline skin temperature can effectively predict existence of Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) within the population, suggests a recent study in the Journal of Rheumatology


RP is characterized by sporadic blood vessel spasms that disrupt blood flow to the fingers, toes, ears, and nose, and can eventually lead to gangrene or ulceration of the skin.

Current diagnosis of RP is based on patient description of a previous RP attack. In order to identify patients with RP before advanced progression of the disease, objective clinical tests are needed. Some physiological changes associated with RDP can be objectively measured, but have not been evaluated in a population setting.

Alex J. MacGregor, M.D., and colleagues, from St. Thomas' Hospital and Royal Free Hospital, London, England, analyzsed whether skin temperature before and after cold challenge can aid in the identification of RP in a healthy population. Using portable radiometry, objective thermographic measurement of the fingertips was assessed in 175 women with RP and 404 women without RP using portable radiometry.

The study found that baseline temperature could effectively predict RP, wherein RP patients had a significantly lower baseline temperature than non-RP patients. This was most evident in patients with baseline temperatures below 24° Celsius who were almost three times more likely to have RP.

Although a somewhat slower rewarming rate was observed in RP patients compared to non-RP participants, the cold challenge did not provide additional predictive value over baseline temperature assessment.

While the predictive value of baseline temperature showed high specificity, the majority of RP patients did not have cold hands, indicating that baseline temperature is not an effective discriminator of RP within the population.

Along with its promising role ""to supplement existing clinical criteria" " in the population setting, Dr. MacGregor further noted that "baseline skin temperature may also prove to be an important phenotype in understanding the genetic basis of RP.""

This research was supported by the Arthritis Research Campaign (UK).
J Rheumatol 2003;30:4:720-722. "Use of Thermographic Criteria to Identify Raynaud's Phenomenon in a Population Setting"

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