Raynaud's phenomenon and thermal entrainment: an objective test.
A new objective test for diagnosing Raynaud's phenomenon was assessed in practice. The test is based on entrainment of the thermal vasomotor control system and entails non-invasive measurement of blood-flow responses in one hand while alternating thermal stimuli are applied to the contralateral hand. A significant (p less than 0.001) abnormality of vasomotor control was found in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon compared with normal subjects. When applied clinically this test is diagnostic and indicates the severity of the disease and the effect of treatment.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000098:blood supply; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011928:Raynaud Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014666:Vasomotor System / Q000503:physiopathology*