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Transient renal dysfunction with Raynaud's phenomenon: is there a connection?
Samir Parekh1, Rajalakshmi Iyer, Winston Sequeira
1Department of Internal Medicine and Division of Rheumatology, Cook County Hospital, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Summary
Severe Raynaud's phenomenon can cause temporary kidney dysfunction, leading to elevated creatinine levels. This transient renal impairment, potentially due to vasospasm, often resolves spontaneously in patients with scleroderma.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Rheumatology
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Raynaud's phenomenon is a condition causing exaggerated vasoconstriction in extremities due to cold or stress.
- Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease characterized by hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues.
- Renal involvement can occur in scleroderma, but transient elevations in creatinine are less commonly reported.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a case of transient renal dysfunction in a patient with Raynaud's phenomenon and early scleroderma.
- To explore the potential role of vasospasm in the renal vasculature as a cause of this transient dysfunction.
- To highlight vasospasm as a possible, reversible cause of elevated creatinine in affected patients.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a patient with severe Raynaud's phenomenon and mild scleroderma.
- Monitoring of serum creatinine levels.
- Discussion of potential pathophysiological mechanisms including vasospasm.
Main Results:
- The patient presented with a transient elevation of serum creatinine.
- Renal function normalized spontaneously within 2 days.
- The episode occurred in the context of severe Raynaud's phenomenon.
Conclusions:
- Transient renal dysfunction can occur in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon and scleroderma.
- Renal vasospasm is a plausible mechanism for this transient dysfunction.
- Vasospasm should be considered as a potential cause of reversible elevated creatinine in this patient population.
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