The patient with cold hands Understanding Raynaudʼs disease

Abstract

The availability of new treatments for Raynaud's disease, as with any medical condition, depends on how convincing the results of clinical research prove to be. The validity and reliability of research in Raynaud's disease is subject to two major constraints: the seasonal and intermittent nature of the condition limits the amount of time patients can be studied continuously, and researchers have failed to agree on objective outcome measures. Vascular physiology is, and no doubt is destined to remain, a dynamic and technology-driven clinical realm. Despite the wide array of promising treatments, the best and most basic management of Raynaud's disease seems to be behavioral and at least partly pharmaceutical. The two biggest behavioral factors are nicotine use and exposure to cold environments. Giving up nicotine can be a daunting challenge for long-term smokers and chewing-tobacco users. Avoiding cold environments may be easier said than done, especially for patients who work outdoors or in air-conditioned spaces. Perhaps the best treatment for Raynaud's disease is a reliable diagnosis and the positive prognosis that comes with it. Most patients have a stable course, and nearly half will actually improve with time and steady reassurance.