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Primary Raynaud’s Phenomenon

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Raynaud’s Phenomenon

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Abstract

Primary (idiopathic) Raynaud’s phenomenon (PRP) is common, especially in women. Although a “benign” condition in that it does not progress to irreversible tissue damage, PRP can be associated with significant pain and disability in those severely affected.

In PRP abnormalities in the digital vasculature are thought to be purely functional: structural vascular disease (as seen in systemic sclerosis) does not occur. Patients with PRP should have no features of an underlying disease and no abnormalities on examination: they should be antinuclear antibody negative, and the full blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and nailfold capillaroscopy should all be normal.

Most patients with PRP can be reassured and do not require drug treatment: in many patients symptoms improve spontaneously over the years. If drug treatment is required, a calcium channel blocker (sustained release) is generally the first choice, starting at low dosage and gradually increased as tolerated. If the maximum tolerated dose is ineffective, an alternative vasodilator should be tried, although the evidence base for other therapies is very weak.

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Abbreviations

PRP:

Primary Raynaud’s phenomenon

RP:

Raynaud’s phenomenon

SSc:

Systemic sclerosis

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center of Musculoskeletal Research Institute of Inflammation and Repair, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK

    Ariane L. Herrick M.D., F.R.C.P.

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  1. Ariane L. Herrick M.D., F.R.C.P.
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Correspondence to Ariane L. Herrick M.D., F.R.C.P. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

    Fredrick M. Wigley

  2. Department of Rheumatology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom

    Ariane L. Herrick

  3. Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medic, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

    Nicholas A. Flavahan

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Herrick, A.L. (2015). Primary Raynaud’s Phenomenon. In: Wigley, F., Herrick, A., Flavahan, N. (eds) Raynaud’s Phenomenon. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1526-2_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1526-2_6

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