[Tramadol in the vascular pains of patients with systemic scleroderma and other rheumatic diseases]

A study was made of the effect of tramadol on vascular pains in 20 patients with systemic scleroderma and other rheumatic diseases, using a visual analogue scale. In eleven patients, ischemic and ulceronecrotic lesions were at the basis of the painful syndrome. In this case the pains were most severe. In five patients, the lesions were of vascular and neuromuscular character. 50% of the patients demonstrated a good effect, 35% a satisfactory one, and 10% had a complete analgesia. Tramadol was administered in a daily dose of 100 to 200 mg, mainly per os. It is recommended that tramadol may be used in patients with the painful syndrome of vascular genesis.