Raynaud's Syndrome

Exam Cram

• Presentation: painful hands in response to cold weather, going pale, blue-tinged, then erythematous and burning

• Associations: Systemic Sclerosis 

• Management: 

  1. Preventing from cooling down- gloves, hand warmers

  2. Nifedipine

Outline

Background 

• Raynaud's syndrome also called Raynaud's phenomena

• Population point prevalence 10%

Assessment

History:

• Hands cool down outside in winter months

• Intense pain on re-warming: burning, tingling pain

Examination:

• Hands go pale & blue tinged on cooling

• Then erythematous and swelling on warming

Investigations:

• Nil required

Diagnosis

Diagnostic criteria: clinical

Classification (by aetiology):

1. Primary (idiopathic)

2. Secondary

   • Systemic Sclerosis

   • Rheumatoid Arthritis 

   • Sjogren's Syndrome 

   • Systemic Sclerosis 

   • Infections: HBV, HCV

   • Cancer: Acute Myeloblastic Leukaemia, Lymphoma, Multiple Myeloma 

   • Medications side effects: betablockers, COCP, cocaine

   • Overuse injuries

   • Smoking (increases risk)

Management

Acute: warm slowly, cooling down can sometimes relieve pain to facilitate a slower rewarming period.

Long term: secondary prevention

1. Preventing from cooling down- gloves, hand warmers

2. Nifedipine or ARB

Med Reg Notes

Prognosis

Primary Raynaud's associated with no change to morbidity or mortality. 

10% Raynaud's presentations develop an auto-immune disorder. 

References and Resources

1. https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/a-to-z/raynauds-phenomenon/

Page written in 2024.