How is Raynaud’s phenomenon diagnosed?

    Last Updated: October 29, 2024

    When Raynaud’s is suspected, a health care provider will consider risk factors such as the age of onset and location of the affected areas on the body and will evaluate the overall frequency and severity of symptoms. The person’s health history will also be reviewed for the presence of other symptoms that may indicate secondary Raynaud’s caused by another underlying condition.[1]

    A technique called nailfold capillary microscopy (NCM) may also be used to differentiate between primary and secondary Raynaud’s. NCM allows the physician to see changes in the structure of the capillaries that may indicate the presence of underlying conditions implicated in secondary Raynaud’s, such as scleroderma or other connective tissue disorders.[2][3][4]

    References

    1. ^Musa R, Qurie ARaynaud Disease.StatPearls.(2024 Jan)
    2. ^Vidal C, Ruano C, Bernardino V, Lavado Carreira P, Lladó A, Santos MC, Gruner H, Panarra A, Riso N, Moraes-Fontes MFClinical Presentation and Long-Term Outcomes of Systemic Sclerosis Portuguese Patients from a Single Centre Cohort: A EUSTAR Registration Initiative.Acta Med Port.(2018 Jun 29)
    3. ^Ingegnoli F, Ughi N, Crotti C, Mosca M, Tani COutcomes, rates and predictors of transition of isolated Raynaud's phenomenon: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Swiss Med Wkly.(2017)
    4. ^Mirbod SM, Sugiura HA non-invasive technique for the evaluation of peripheral circulatory functions in female subjects with Raynaud's phenomenon.Ind Health.(2017 Jun 8)