Raynaud disease and phenomenon

Published on 18/03/2015 by admin

Filed under Dermatology

Last modified 22/04/2025

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Raynaud disease and phenomenon

Sameh S. Zaghloul, Najat A.Y. Marraiki and Mark J.D. Goodfield

Evidence Levels:  A Double-blind study  B Clinical trial ≥ 20 subjects  C Clinical trial < 20 subjects  D Series ≥ 5 subjects  E Anecdotal case reports

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Raynaud phenomenon (RP) is characterized by intermittent peripheral vasoconstriction leading to pallor, cyanosis, and reactive vasodilatation of the arterioles of the fingers and toes. It is caused by vasospasm in response to cold, emotion, hormones, and certain vasospastic drugs. Primary Raynaud disease is a milder, idiopathic form, whereas secondary RP coexists with autoimmune connective tissue disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis, or other conditions that reduce blood flow, such as localized structural abnormalities.

Despite the increases in our understanding of disease mechanisms involved in Raynaud disease, the precise pathogenesis is not fully understood. The pathogenesis and pathophysiology vary between the primary (idiopathic) and the secondary forms.

Management strategy

Raynaud disease is often mild and may not require treatment; the use of warming devices such as hand or toe warmers is beneficial; however, with secondary Raynaud disease there is not only vasospasm but often fixed blood vessel damage, so the ischemia can be more severe. Complications can include digital ulcers and could, rarely, lead to amputation. Treatment is often non-pharmacological including avoiding cold and smoking cessation. Calcium channel antagonists, such as nifedipine (10–60 mg daily), are often considered when treatment is needed; however, the adverse effects of these drugs can include hypotension, vasodilatation, peripheral edema, and headaches. Other treatments that have been studied in randomized, controlled trials include classes of drugs such as angiotensin II inhibitors, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (e.g., sildenafil, 25–50 mg up to four times a day), and nitrates (topical or oral). For more serious Raynaud disease or its complications, prostacyclin agonists may be used. This may be particularly useful for RP associated with connective tissue disease. There are also studies demonstrating that endothelin receptor blockade with bosentan (62.5 mg bid) can reduce the number of new digital ulcers in scleroderma patients. However, it does not affect the healing period, and has no effect on the number and severity of attacks of RP in those without ulcers. Natural remedies such as Ginkgo biloba have also been advocated. Avoidance of triggers such as cold (especially sudden drops in temperature) and vibration (in cases where vibration is the precipitant) should be stressed. Drugs that may exacerbate the condition include β-blockers, bleomycin, caffeine, cisplatin, ergot preparations, interferon, methylsergide, nicotine, oral contraceptives, reboxetine, tegaserod, and vinblastine and should be avoided.

Specific investigations

Careful history taking and clinical examination followed by investigation to detect potential underlying disease are essential: capillaroscopy and specific autoantibody tests are the most productive in aiding diagnosis.

Assessment of nailfold capillaroscopy by × 30 digital epiluminescence (dermoscopy) in patients with Raynaud phenomenon.

Beltran E, Toll A, Pros A, Carbonell J, Pujol RM. Br J Dermatol 2007; 156: 892–8.

The sclerodermic pattern showed a sensitivity of 76.9% and a specificity of 90.9% in SS. A typical capillaroscopic pattern of SS was observed in 73% of cases of limited SS and in 82% of cases of diffuse SS. Patients with Sjögren syndrome and dermatopolymyositis-SS showed a non-specific capillaroscopic pattern. All patients with primary RP presented a normal capillaroscopic pattern. A normal capillaroscopic pattern was also observed in 11 of 12 patients with pre-SS. Digital epiluminescence seems to be a useful and reliable technique in the evaluation of capillary nailfold morphological changes. This technical variation allows the identification of specific capillaroscopic patterns associated with connective tissue diseases. It also permits us to differentiate primary RP from secondary RP. The results obtained with this technique are similar to those previously reported using standard capillary microscopy, but this is much easier.

First-line therapies

image Calcium channel blockers A
image Glyceryl trinitrate A
image Prostacyclin analogs A

Iloprost treatment in patients with Raynaud’s phenomenon secondary to systemic sclerosis and the quality of life: a new therapeutic protocol.

Milio G, Corrado E, Genova C, Amato C, Raimondi F, Almasio PL, et al. Rheumatology 2006; 45: 999–1004.

In this randomized study 30 patients were treated with iloprost, given by intravenous infusion at progressively increasing doses (from 0.5–2 ng/kg/minute) over a period of 6 hours each day for 10 days in 2 consecutive weeks, with repeated cycles at regular intervals of 3 months for 18 months. The results were compared with those obtained in 30 other patients who received the same drug but with different dosing regimens. The total average daily duration of the attacks, the average duration of a single attack, and the average daily frequency of the attacks were reduced significantly in all treatment groups, but the comparison between the groups demonstrated significant differences between patients treated with the new protocol and the others at later times (12 and 18 months).

Second-line therapies

image Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (fluoxetine) B
image Endothelin receptor antagonist (bosentan) B
image Angiotensin II receptor type I antagonist (losartan) B
image Serotonin antagonists (ketanserin) B
image Phosphodiesterase inhibitors B
image Oral vasodilators B
image Hexopal B

Third-line therapies

image Prostaglandin E1 (alprostadil) B
image Dipyridamole and low-dose acetylsalicylic acid B
image Calcitonin gene-related peptide C
image L-Arginine D
image H-O-U therapy C
image Triiodothyronine C
image Helicobacter pylori treatment B
image Sympathectomy C
image Low-level laser therapy C
image Acupuncture C
image Evening primrose oil supplementation C
image Fish oil supplementation B
image Biofeedback C
image Botulinum toxin D
image Spinal cord stimulation E

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