Raynaud's Phenomenon in Healthy Population Who Admitted To the Hospital in Van Region, Turkey

Abstract

Raynaud's phenomenon is a vasospastic disease and is characterized with ischemia of the digits, nose and ears. The vasospasm can be triggered by cold weather, cold water or emotional stress and is followed by triphasic color changes. First white color (ischemia), than blue color (congestion and cyanosis) and at last red color change (reactive hyperemia) can be observed. The prevalence is reported between 0,5 to 20 percent in different studies and is dependent on genetic, occupational, and environmental factors. The purpose of our study was to determine the prevalence of RP in a eastern part of Turkey among healthy subjects. A total of 251 people were included to the study. This cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2000 and July 2000 at the University Hospital and at the State Hospital in Van, Turkey. The participants were interviewed and examined to diagnose RP and a questionnaire and color charts were used. A total of 251 (134 women (53.4%), 117 men (46.6%)) subjects participated in this study. The overall mean age was 28.93±11.15. Definite RP was detected in 10 subjects according to at least two color changes (3.98%). They consisted of 6 women and 4 men. Mean age was 23.5±5.38. Four patients responded positively two color changes and six patients for three color changes. All patients who had symptoms had told their symptoms appeared in both hands. Probable RP was diagnosed in 20 patients with only one color change (7.96%). Mean age was 27.05±11.01 in probable RP group. Only 11 of 30 patients applied to any medical unit for RP (36.6%). The prevalence of RF was less found than literature perhaps it can be said that there is a strong influence of the climate in comparison to other contributing factors.