Raynaud's disease is a functional vasospastic disorder affecting the small arteries and arterioles of the extremities. It affects 3-20% of the adult population worldwide. Women are affected more often then men, especially younger ones. The aetiology is unknown, but suggestions include hyperactivity of the autonomic innervation of the affected vessels.
Symptoms result from vasoconstriction and organic changes within the vessel wall may be absent. Most commonly the fingers and hands but occasionally the tip of the nose, the mouth and the feet are affected. Cold and emotional stimuli trigger the response; the fingers become white, then blue and finally red - Raynaud's phenomenon.
Trophic changes occur in long-standing, chronic cases including skin atrophy, clubbing and deformity of nails, scarring and sclerodactyly. Less than 1% develop gangrene or lose part of a digit. The disease progresses in about 1/3rd of patients; in others it may spontaneously improve.
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