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Reproducibility of the finger cooling test
M L Bartelink1, H Wollersheim, R W Jansen
1Department of Medicine, University Hospital Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Microvascular Research
|January 1, 1993
Summary
The finger cooling test assesses Raynaud's phenomenon severity. Finger skin temperature (FST) showed better reproducibility than laser Doppler flux (LDF), suggesting its utility for group studies but limited individual diagnostic value.
Area of Science:
- Medical Diagnostics
- Vascular Physiology
Background:
- Raynaud's phenomenon is a vascular disorder characterized by exaggerated vasoconstriction.
- Objective assessment of Raynaud's phenomenon severity is crucial for diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the reproducibility of a finger cooling test used to objectify Raynaud's phenomenon.
- To compare the reproducibility of finger skin temperature (FST) and laser Doppler flux (LDF) measurements.
Main Methods:
- A standardized finger cooling test involving a 16°C water bath for 5 minutes followed by a 20-minute recovery period.
- Measurements of finger skin temperature (FST) and laser Doppler flux (LDF) at baseline, 12 minutes into recovery, and during the recovery period.
- Test-retest reproducibility assessed in 34 healthy subjects and 56 Raynaud patients within 3 months.
Main Results:
- No systematic differences were found between the first and second test sessions.
- Outside temperature did not impact FST or LDF measurements.
- Finger skin temperature (FST) demonstrated superior reproducibility compared to laser Doppler flux (LDF), with lower coefficients of variation and narrower limits of agreement.
Conclusions:
- The finger cooling test exhibits limited value for individual patient assessment due to variability.
- The test's reproducibility, particularly FST, supports its use in comparing large groups for pathophysiologic or therapeutic research in Raynaud's phenomenon.