Raynaud phenomenon and mortality: 20+ years of follow-up of the Charleston Heart Study cohort

Abstract

BackgroundRaynaud phenomenon (RP) is a temporary vasoconstrictive condition that often manifests itself in the fingers in response to cold or stress. It often co-occurs with certain chronic diseases that impact mortality. Our objective was to determine whether RP has any independent association with survival.MethodsFrom 1987–1989, a total of 830 participants of the Charleston Heart Study cohort completed an in-person RP screening questionnaire. Two definitions of RP were used: a broad definition that included both blanching (pallor) and cyanotic color changes and a narrow definition that included only blanching. All-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality were compared between subjects with and without RP using race-specific survival models that adjusted for age, sex, baseline CVD, and 10-year risk of coronary heart disease.ResultsUsing the narrow RP definition, we identified a significant interaction between older age and the presence of RP on all-cause mortality. In the broad RP definition model, the presence of RP was not associated with CVD mortality among blacks; however, among whites, the presence of RP was associated with a 1.6-fold increase in the hazard associated with CVD-related death (hazard ratio: 1.55, 95% confidence interval: 1.10–2.20, P=0.013).ConclusionRP was independently associated with mortality among older adults in our cohort. Among whites, RP was associated with increased CVD-related death. It is possible that RP may be a sign of undiagnosed vascular disease.

Cold Hypersensitivity in the Hands and Feet May Be Associated with Functional Dyspepsia: Results of a Multicenter Survey Study

“…In this study, we observed a significant difference between the frequencies of indigestion in participants who did and did not have CHHF. Previously, Tokunaga et al [ 15 ] found that symptom frequencies differed according to the presence of Hie (oversensitivity to coldness), and Nietert et al [ 21 ] found that Raynaud's phenomenon was associated with undiagnosed vascular disease. Together with these earlier investigations, the present study provides evidence supporting the notion that the human disease state of “cold” can endanger human health.…”

Optimized treatment algorithms for digital vasculopathy in SSc

“…The preva lence of migraine, vasospastic angina and cardio vascular risk in patients with primary Raynaud phenomenon, as well as the tran sition in 14% of patients from primary to secondary Raynaud phenom enon associ ated with SSc, suggest that primary Raynaud phenomenon cannot be deemed a benign condition. 3,4 Conversely, virtually every patient with SSc experiences frequent isch aemic events typical of secondary Raynaud phenomenon-often the first manifes tation of SSc, Raynaud phenomenon can precede other organ disorders by years, and its presence in patients with SSc is associ ated with more severe events in the fingers, with recurrent digital ulcers occurring in 25-50% of patients ( Figure 1). …”

Role of autonomic dysfunction in the regulation of myocardial blood flow in systemic sclerosis evaluated by cardiac magnetic resonance

“…Among Whites, RP was associated with increased cardiovascular diseases‐related death. It is possible that RP may be a sign of undiagnosed cardiac vascular disease . For the first time we have evaluated a possible role of AD on MBF.…”