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Hand skin temperature changes in patients with chronic liver disease
J D Steele1, J F Dillon, J N Plevris
1University Department of Medicine, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, UK.
Journal of Hepatology
|December 1, 1994
Summary
Peripheral circulation changes in liver disease patients are linked to disease severity, not autonomic neuropathy. Hand temperature and thermographic appearance vary significantly with Child
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Hepatology
- Medical Thermography
Background:
- Peripheral circulation alterations are documented in liver disease patients.
- Understanding these circulatory changes is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate hand temperature and thermographic appearance in liver disease patients.
- To correlate these findings with disease severity (Child's score).
- To assess the role of autonomic neuropathy in these circulatory changes.
Main Methods:
- Liquid crystal contact thermography used to measure hand temperature in 26 patients and 13 controls.
- Patients categorized using Child's score.
- Cold-water immersion test performed to assess hand recovery and reflex vasoconstriction.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in resting hand temperature and thermographic appearance observed based on Child's score.
- Child's A: warm hands, normal appearance; Child's B: cold hands, abnormal appearance; Child's C: warm hands, abnormal appearance.
- Abnormally slow hand recovery and reflex vasoconstriction noted in Child's B and C groups.
Conclusions:
- Hand temperature and thermographic appearance changes correlate with liver disease severity.
- Autonomic nervous system dysfunction is not the primary cause of observed peripheral circulation changes.
- Thermography offers a valuable tool for assessing circulatory disturbances in liver disease.