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Objective testing for vasospasm in the hand-arm vibration syndrome
J A Allen1, C C Doherty, S McGrann
1School of Biomedical Science, Queen's University of Belfast.
British Journal of Industrial Medicine
|October 1, 1992
Summary
Objective testing for vibration white finger (VWF) using cold challenge revealed significant vasospasm in most claimants. This method aids in diagnosing VWF and differentiating it from other conditions.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Vascular Physiology
Background:
- Vibration white finger (VWF) is a recognized industrial disease.
- Objective diagnostic methods for VWF are needed for accurate assessment and compensation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of finger blood flow and systolic pressure measurements after cold challenge for diagnosing VWF.
- To compare objective test results with clinical assessments in VWF claimants.
Main Methods:
- Measured finger blood flow and systolic pressure in 34 VWF claimants and 22 healthy controls.
- Subjects underwent a cold challenge (cooling to 10-15°C) after initial measurements at 32°C.
- Compared laboratory findings with clinical diagnoses.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in finger blood flow between claimants and controls.
- Significantly reduced finger systolic pressure (to 0 mm Hg) indicating vasospasm occurred in 22 of 34 claimants after cold challenge.
- 81% of claimants clinically suspected of VWF showed laboratory vasospasm; only 1 of 8 not suspected showed vasospasm.
Conclusions:
- Cold-induced finger systolic pressure measurement is a valuable objective test for VWF.
- The test demonstrates high sensitivity in identifying VWF in claimants with clinical suspicion.
- Objective testing can aid in the diagnosis and grading of vibration white finger severity.