Raynaud's phenomenon

Raynaud phenomenon:

- Recurrent vasospasm of the fingers and toes usually in response to stress or cold exposure.

- Characterised by 3 phases of change:

1. White (vasoconstriction), followed by
2. Blue (cyanosis), and then
3. Red (rapid blood reflow)

- Raynaud disease (primary Raynaud phenomenon) is characterised by the occurrence of the vasospasm alone, with no association with another illness

- Secondary Raynaud phenomenon is vasospasm associated with another illness, usually an autoimmune disease – typically systemic sclerosis, SLE and mixed connective tissue disease

- Diagnostic criteria for primary Raynaud phenomenon :

1. Attacks triggered by exposure to cold and/or stress
2. Symmetric bilateral involvement
3. Absence of necrosis
4. No detectable underlying cause
5. Normal inflammatory markers and negative antinuclear factors.

- Young women with Raynaud phenomenon alone for more than 2 years and no additional manifestations are at low risk for developing an autoimmune disease.