Quantitative evaluation of Raynaud's phenomenon: Measurement of the finger skin temperature

Abstract

Raynaud's phenomenon is an important sign which is occasionally associated with certain connective tissue disorders. This study was designed to establish a quantitative evaluation for Raynaud's phenomenon by means of recording changes in the skin temperature.Raynaud's phenomenon was induced by immersing both hands in the ice-water in a temperature-monitored room. Thereafter, the finger skin temperature was measured with the thermocupler thermometer for 30 minutes together with the observation of the skin color.Basal skin temperature (the skin temperature before the immersion) was significantly lower in Raynaud's phenomenon group (28.6±4.2°C, m±S.D.) than in the control group (33.9±1.3°C) (p<0.005).Basal skin temperature recovery time (the time taken to return to the basal skin temperature after the immersion) was significantly delayed in Raynaud's phenomenon group (29.3±2.9min.) than in the control group (15.5±6.6min.) (p<0.005).The rate of rise in the skin temperature was significantly lower in Raynaud's phenomenon group (0.34±0.18°C per min.) than in the control, group (1.25±0.39°C per min.) (p<0.005). Both groups could be separated by the borderline at 0.60°C per min.Changes in the skin color after the immersion in the ice-water were variable without consistent tendency in Raynaud's phenomenon group, whereas there was no particular change in the skin color in the control group.Oral administration of prostaglandin E1 (OP-1206 α-CD) improved the rate of rise in the skin temperature in 6 of 11 subjects in Raynaud's phenomenon group.The foregoing results suggest that the measurement of the skin temperature, especially the rate of rise in the skin temperature, is a useful method in the quantitative evaluation for Raynaud's phenomenon.