RAYNAUD PHENOMENON

SUMMARY

1. Primary Raynaud phenomenon (idiopathic; called Raynaud disease) usually begins in young women within a few years following menarche and is not assoc. with any rheumatologic disease.

2. Secondary Raynaud phenomenon is more severe; assoc. with RA, SLE, Sjogren's and mixed CT diseases (MCTD) & drugs (serotonin agonists, sympathetomimetics), smoking.

3. Defined as a sequential, tricolor change of the fingers and/or toes that occurs as a result of vasoconstriction with exposure to cold or emotional stress. Ulceration does not occur in primary disease.

4. Fingers and/or toes blanch or tum white (as a result of vasoconstriction).

5. When cyanosis due to decreased oxygenation occurs, the digits tum blue.

6. Finally, with vasodilation upon rewarming, the digits flush red (white => blue => red).

Reference(s)

Wilkinson, I. (2017). Oxford handbook of clinical medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Hannaman, R. A., Bullock, L., Hatchell, C. A., & Yoffe, M. (2016). Internal medicine review core curriculum, 2017-2018. CO Springs, CO: MedStudy.
Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. https://www.tg.org.au [Accessed 2021].