Raynaud's Monitor Tracks Symptoms

The Ambulatory Raynaud's Monitor is a miniature device being tested to help physicians track Raynaud's symptoms and the effectiveness of treatment. Researchers from the Applied Physics Laboratory at Johns Hopkins University and doctors from the Johns Hopkins Scleroderma Center in Baltimore are excited about its development because the lack of such a monitor has hampered Raynaud's research.

The Ambulatory Raynaud's Monitor is the size of a Band-aid and wraps around a patient's finger while being secured with a bandage or medical tape. Two sensors alternately record skin and ambient temperatures every 36 seconds, indicative of surface blood flow. Using interactive controls, the patient can record the date and time of a suspected Raynaud's attack. The monitor provides real-time feedback which can be quickly displayed and assessed by a physician. The device recently underwent initial testing on Raynaud's patients treated at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions (JHMI) and based on results more trials are scheduled to take place this winter at JHMI.

Raynaud's phenomenon is an arthritis-related condition which occurs when blood vessels constrict. The fingers and toes are most commonly affected by Raynaud's. It's possible for the nose, lips, and ear lobes to also be affected. The decreased blood flow can cause pain and discomfort in the affected area as well as discoloration of the skin. For most people, an attack is usually triggered by exposure to cold or emotional stress.

Raynaud's can occur as a primary or secondary condition. As a primary condition, it is not associated with any other disease and is often referred to as Raynaud's disease. Rheumatic conditions associated with secondary Raynaud's include:

• Scleroderma
• Lupus
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Sjogren's Syndrome
• Dermatomyositis
• Polymyositis
• Mixed Connective Tissue Disease

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Conditions estimates that 5 to 10 percent of the U.S. population is affected by Raynaud's.

Related Resources:

• Fast Facts About Raynaud's
• Guide to Raynaud's Phenomenon
• Understanding Raynaud's Phenomenon
• Raynaud's Phenomenon Screening Quiz

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_{Photos © Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory}