RAYNAUDS-PHENOMENON

Raynaud's phenomenon is a common clinical problem occurring in 3% to 5 % of the general population. The first symptom of scleroderma is often Raynaud's phenomenon, which is associated with a diffuse small vessel vasculopathy and ischemia and reperfusion injury to skin and other or gans targeted in this disease. Current studies support the concept tha t Raynaud's phenomenon is secondary to a local defect in the regulatio n of regional blood flow. New evidence demonstrates that there is a pr ofound sensitivity to alpha(2)-adrenoceptors mediated vasoconstriction in scleroderma vessels. Traditional treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon is cold avoidance and the use of vasodilators. Oral prostaglandins ha ve shown promise as therapeutic agents.