Symptoms of Raynaud's phenomenon in an inner-city African-American community: Prevalence and self reported cardiovascular comorbidity

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of symptoms and the morbidity associated with Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) among African Amer icans. A total of 2196 randomly selected residents of an inner-city communi ty, in Baltimore, completed a health-assessment survey. Symptoms of RP cons isted of cold sensitivity plus cold-induced white or blue digital color cha nge. One third (n = 703) reported cold sensitivity and 14% (n = 308) report ed digital color change; 84 residents with symptoms of RP were identified, yielding an overall prevalence rate of 3.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 3 .0-4.6). RP was associated with poor or fair health status (odds ratio [OR] = 1.82, CI 1.18-2.81), heart disease (OR = 2.32, CI 1.39-3.87), and stroke (OR = 2.20, CI 1.17-4.15), after adjustment for age,gender, and physician- diagnosed arthritis. The prevalence of symptoms of RP in this African-Ameri can community is comparable to published reports from other populations. Th ese community based data suggest that identification of RP among African Am ericans should raise consideration of possible comorbidity, particularly ca rdiovascular disease. J CLIN EPIDEMIOL 52;5:441-446, 1999. (C) 1999 Elsevie r Science Inc.