REYNAUD’S PREVALENCE OF SYNDROME IN YOUNG PEOPLE

The aim of the research was to increase the frequency of early revealed Raynaud's phenomenon in young people via a survey of students using the special questionnaire and data analysis afterward. Results. Raynaud's phenomenon was confirmed by 40 of 1007 students (4,0%; 95% CI 2,9 – 5,4%).The majority of students without Raynaud's phenomenon had at least one the same symptom that meets in case of the phenomenon. Moreover, all of the above-mentioned symptoms occurred more often in case of the phenomenon than without it. The most prevalent symptoms in respondents with Raynaud's phenomenon were numbness and/or paresthesia of thumbs and fingers (75%; 95% CI 58,8 – 87,3%). However, these symptoms also were detected in students without the phenomenon (28,6 %). Therefore, we calculated sensitivity and specificity of symptoms to estimate precisely significance of them for diagnostic of Raynaud's phenomenon. The highest value of sensitivity were such symptoms as numbness and/or paresthesia during vasospasm episodes, an occurrence of episodes on both hands and triphasic colour changes. However, the highest value of specificity was a well-demarcated border of discolored skin, triggering of episodes by things other than cold and triphasic colour changes. It was also calculated odds ratio for each symptom. The symptom of a well-demarcated border of discolored skin shown the highest odds ratio (5,33; 95% CI 2,62 – 11,66). Besides, the symptom of triphasic color changes also has the high odds ratio. One of the key issues is what cause Raynaud's phenomenon. We have used Diagnostic Criteria for Primary Raynaud's Phenomenon to assess whether the disease is primary or secondary. According to criteria, the phenomenon is primary if all of the following conditions are present: • Normal capillaroscopy; • Physical examination is negative for findings suggestive of secondary causes (e.g. ulceration, tissue necrosis or gangrene, sclerodactyly, calcinosis, or skin fibrosis); • No history of existing connective tissue disease; • Negative OR low titer of antinuclear antibodies (ANA). By using the questionnaire, we have verified only one condition: the history of existing connective tissue disease. As it turned out, 2,5% of respondents with Raynaud's phenomenon had confirmed connective tissue disease before. That means at least 2,5% of students have had secondary Raynaud's phenomenon. This percentage can be higher if we could assess other criteria. Conclusions. 1. Raynaud's phenomenon is present in 4,0% of IFNMU students (95% CI 2,9 – 5,4%). At least 2,5% of them have secondary Raynaud's phenomenon. 2. Such symptoms as a well-demarcated border of discolored skin during episodes of vasospasm and triphasic colour changes can be considered as the most important symptoms to diagnose Raynaud's phenomenon. 3. The early revealing of Raynaud's phenomenon in young people can be performed via a survey of students using the special questionnaire.