Raynaud's Disease: Review of Current Literature

Raynaud's disease (RD), also referred to as Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) or Raynaud's syndrome, is a vasospastic condition characterized by episodic, reversible constriction of the peripheral digital arteries and cutaneous arterioles in response to cold temperature and/or emotional stress. The condition is classified into 2 forms. The first being primary RD, which occurs in the absence of any identifiable underlying condition, and then secondary RP, which develops in the setting of a systemic disease, most commonly connective tissue disorders such as systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and Sjogren's syndrome. Primary RD is considerably more prevalent and generally follows a benign course, whereas secondary RP carries a significant risk of ischemic digital complications, including ulceration, gangrene, and permanent tissue loss. The clinical hallmark of RD is the characteristic triphasic color change of the digits, progressing from pallor to cyanosis to erythema, reflecting the sequential phases of vasospasm, deoxygenation, and reactive hyperemia. Diagnosis is largely clinical, supported by a thorough history and physical examination, serologic autoantibody testing, and nailfold capillaroscopy, which serves as the gold standard for differentiating primary from secondary disease.