The assessment of Raynaud's phenomenon using a radiation thermometer and a mild cold (20 degrees C) stress test

Digital skin temperature was monitored using a radiation thermometer in 27 normal volunteers and in 24 patients with Raynaud's phenomenon before and after the application of a mild cold stress (20 degrees C for 1 minute). The test was performed in standardized environmental conditions and repeated after the ingestion of alcohol (30 mls of 25% ethyl alcohol). Three types of response were identified: "Normal" rewarming curves before alcohol in 25 of 27 volunteers and in one patient. "Abnormal" rewarming curves unaffected by alcohol in 18 patients. "Abnormal" rewarming curves normalized by alcohol in the 2 remaining volunteers and in 5 patients. This simple, practical, painless and noninvasive test may be of value in the objective assessment of the severity of Raynaud's phenomenon and in the evaluation of the effect of therapy.