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Skin temperature recovery from cold provocation in workers exposed to vibration: a longitudinal study
M Cherniack1, A Brammer, J Meyer
1University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030-6210, USA.
Occupational and Environmental Medicine
|November 25, 2003
Summary
Even years after stopping work, vibration white finger (VWF) patients still have cold hands. This is due to impaired skin blood flow, not just arterial pressure issues.
Area of Science:
- Occupational health
- Vascular medicine
- Environmental health
Background:
- Vibration white finger (VWF) involves arterial hyperresponsiveness and vasoconstriction after cold exposure.
- Many VWF patients report persistent cold hands and finger blanching years after ceasing exposure.
- Improved finger systolic blood pressure (FSBP) is often observed post-exposure, but symptoms linger.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the reasons behind persistent cold symptoms in former pneumatic tool users.
- To evaluate the long-term effects of vibration exposure on vascular function and cold sensitivity.
Main Methods:
- 204 former pneumatic tool users with cold-related hand symptoms were assessed.
- Symptoms were evaluated using the Stockholm Workshop Scale.
- Finger systolic blood pressure (FSBP%) and fingertip skin temperature recovery were measured after cold provocation and rewarming.
Main Results:
- FSBP% significantly improved, and skin temperature recovery showed modest improvement.
- No change in symptom stage was observed.
- Symptomatic subjects showed reduced skin temperature recovery compared to less symptomatic individuals, despite similar FSBP% improvements.
Conclusions:
- Reduced skin temperature recovery persists in symptomatic VWF subjects years after exposure cessation.
- Impaired dermal circulation is suggested in VWF, even when arterial blood pressure normalizes.
- These findings highlight persistent microcirculatory dysfunction in VWF.