Abnormal biochemical and cellular parameters in the blood of patients with Raynauds phenomenon

Finger blood flow is decreased in Raynauds Phenomenon (RP). This may be due not only to vasospasm, but also to blood abnormalities. 40 patients with Raynauds Disease (RD), 28 with suspected RP (SS) and 42 with secondary Raynauds syndrome (RS) were enrolled and compared to 50 controls. Results from base-line samples show that those with RP have abnormal haemostasis and rheology whereas those with mild Raynauds, RD do not. Blood sampled after cold challenge in 15 RS patients and 15 controls show that both groups exhibit platelet activation after emersion. The degree of activation however was much more marked in the RS patients. We have shown that abnormalities of haemostasis and rheology are found in patients likely to have endothelial damage (RS). These changes are probably a consequence rather than a cause of the disease. After cold challenge the results become more abnormal and correlate with severity of disease.