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Related Experiment Videos

Cold fingers in leprosy.

N C Abbot1, J S Beck, P D Samson

  • 1Department of Pathology, University of Dundee, U.K.

International Journal of Leprosy and Other Mycobacterial Diseases : Official Organ of the International Leprosy Association
|December 1, 1992
PubMed
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Cold fingers and reduced fingertip blood flow in leprosy patients may indicate peripheral neuropathy. This simple sign could aid early leprosy assessment in tropical clinics.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Research
  • Dermatology
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Peripheral microcirculation and thermoregulation are crucial for maintaining skin temperature.
  • Leprosy, a chronic infectious disease, can affect peripheral nerves and blood vessels.
  • Assessing peripheral perfusion is important for understanding disease progression and complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate fingertip blood flow and skin temperature in healthy individuals and leprosy patients.
  • To determine the association between peripheral perfusion, sensory impairment, and vasomotor control in leprosy.
  • To evaluate the clinical utility of cold fingers as an early indicator of leprosy.

Main Methods:

  • Laser Doppler flowmetry was used to measure fingertip blood flow.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Skin temperature was recorded under conditions of maximal thermoregulatory peripheral dilatation.
  • Sensory impairment to touch, pressure, and temperature was assessed.
  • Vasomotor control was evaluated in the fingertip region.

    • Main Results:

    • Healthy subjects exhibited raised fingertip blood flow and near-core body temperature.
    • Borderline lepromatous (BL) leprosy patients showed colder fingers and reduced blood flow.
    • Borderline tuberculoid (BT) patients had normal skin temperature but reduced fingertip blood flow compared to controls.
    • Cold fingers and slow blood flow correlated with sensory impairment and impaired vasomotor control, suggesting leprosy neuropathy and potentially arteriopathy.

    Conclusions:

    • Reduced fingertip blood flow and cold fingers are associated with leprosy, particularly neuropathy.
    • Impaired vasomotor control contributes to lowered peripheral perfusion in leprosy patients.
    • Cold fingers may serve as a valuable, simple clinical sign for preliminary leprosy assessment in tropical settings.