Korean J Med.  2019 Oct;94(5):431-437. 10.3904/kjm.2019.94.5.431.

A Diagnostic Roadmap for Raynaud's Phenomenon

• Choi W
• Kim HS

• KMID: 2462828
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3904/kjm.2019.94.5.431

Abstract

Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is a reversible vasospasm that is aggravated by cold or emotional stress. Before confirming RP, it is essential to consider other possible causes including compressive neuropathy, sensori-neuropathy, thyroid disease, hematologic conditions and offending drugs. RP is typically characterized by the three-step color change that turns pallor (white), cyanosis (blue), and then erythema (red) of reperfusion. Once RP is diagnosed, it is important to determine whether it is primary or secondary RP. To distinguish primary from the secondary RP, the specialized tests performing in clinical practice are antinuclear antibody (ANA) and nailfold capillary microscopy (NFC). The combination of ANA and NFC is most helpful for discriminating secondary RP due to autoimmune rheumatic disease. Thereby, normal findings of NFC in primary RP distinguished from secondary RP should be understood. Patients with primary RP usually improves with symptomatic treatment focused on lifestyle modification and patient education, but those with secondary RP should be treated together with associated disease or causes.

Keyword

Raynaud's phenomenon; Antinuclear antibody; Nailfold capillaroscopy

MeSH Terms

Antibodies, Antinuclear
Capillaries
Cyanosis
Erythema
Humans
Life Style
Microscopic Angioscopy
Microscopy
Pallor
Patient Education as Topic
Reperfusion
Rheumatic Diseases
Stress, Psychological
Thyroid Diseases
Antibodies, Antinuclear