Abstract

BACKGROUND: Raynaud phenomenon (RP) is common worldwide and presents diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties. We aimed to share our experience with optimizing of patient follow-up by using the cold-stimulation test (CST).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data of 81 patients admitted with RP symptomatology were collected. Demographic data and symptoms were recorded. A scale was used for determining the severity of disease at pre-treatment and post-treatment. CST was performed to all patients at pre-treatment and post-treatment for assessment of treatment efficiency in follow-up. Results were analyzed with the SPSS for Mac 20.0 program.

RESULTS: All the patients were male. Mean age was 22.3±2.14 (19–29). Mean duration of symptoms from onset to present was 4.59±2.85 years. There were statistically significant differences between pre-treatment and post-treatment hand temperatures measured by CST (p<0.001). However, there were no statistically significant differences between pre-treatment and post-treatment severity scores of patients (p=0.135).

CONCLUSIONS: To quantitatively determine the treatment efficacy, CST may be used instead of asking simple questions of patients.

Keywords: Cold Temperature, Follow-Up Studies, Physical Stimulation - methods, Raynaud Disease - therapy, Rewarming - methods, Time Factors