IngentaConnect Infrared-monitored cold response in the assessment of Raynaud's p...

Authors: Foerster, J.; Wittstock, S.; Fleischanderl, S.; Storch, A; Riemekasten, G.¹; Hochmuth, O.²; Meffert, B²; Meffert, H.; Worm, M.

Source: Clinical & Experimental Dermatology, Volume 31, Number 1, January 2006 , pp. 6-12(7)

Publisher: Blackwell Publishing

Abstract:

Summary Background.

Evaluation of treatments for Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) requires objective response parameters in addition to clinical activity scores. Thermographic monitoring of fingertip re-warming after cold challenge has been widely used but usually requires sophisticated equipment. We have previously shown that fingertip re-warming after cold challenge follows a first-order transient response curve that can be described by a single variable, designated τ. Objectives.

Here, we describe a novel device termed a duosensor, which records the τ value upon cold challenge in an automated manner. Methods.

We determined τ values in healthy probands, patients with primary or secondary RP associated with autoimmune disease and patients with scleroderma-associated RP following cold challenge, to determine assay variability, sensitivity and specificity. Results.

Duosensor-based thermography exhibited low intraindividual variability in healthy probands. As expected, τ values in RP patients were significantly increased compared with controls (8.08 ± 3.65 min vs. 3.23 ± 1.65 min). The duosensor-determined τ value yielded a specificity of 94.6% and predictive value of 95.3% for the presence of RP in a retrospective analysis of 139 patients. Furthermore, in a cohort of scleroderma patients with RP, patient self-assessment of RP severity correlated with τ values. Conclusions.

Taken together, the present data suggest that τ value determination provides a suitable outcome measure for clinical studies of novel RP treatments. As the duosensor is a simple stand-alone device requiring no supporting equipment and minimal personnel attention, it should allow RP activity monitoring even in clinical settings with minimal technical infrastructure.

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Infrared-monitored cold response in the assessment of Raynaud's phenomenon