A standardized finger cooling test for Raynaud's phenomenon: diagnostic value and sex differences

摘要: In 99 patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon (RP), in 97 secondary RP and 101 healthy subjects, finger skin temperature laser Doppler flux were measured before, during after immersion of the hand a 16 degrees C water bath. We determined baseline value, values at end cooling period 12 20 min recovery, percentual decrease mean cooling, recovery whole test. Most parameters significantly lower females than males all three groups. There no significant differences between either or RP. both sexes, test (with exception cooling) subjects. With diagnostic specificity 70%, sensitivity varied 55% 81% for different parameters. Although, considerable overlap groups limits value individual cases.