Session Information
Title: Fibromyalgia, Soft Tissue Disorders, Regional and Specific Clinical Pain Syndromes: Research Focus
Session Type: Abstract Submissions (ACR)
Background/Purpose
Joint hypermobility is a common but often poorly recognized connective tissue condition with joint laxity in the absence of any hereditary systemic disease. Acrocyanosis is symmetric, painless, blue discoloration in the distal parts of the body with aggravation by cold exposure, and frequent association with local hyperhidrosis of hands and feet. Primary acrocyanosis is mostly a disease of young adults, only few cases persist into middle age.
Methods
During 18 months, a group of 350 consecutive rheumatology patients (<45 yrs. old) investigated for joint laxity and acrocyanosis. For each patient a Beighton score measured and those with a score of >4 regarded as benign joint hypermobility due to Brighton criteria. Acrocyanosis was diagnosed clinically by proper history and physical examination. Other relevant clinical findings were also recorded.
Results
A total of 43 patients (F: M, 26:17) were diagnosed as hypermobility. Nearly all patients had a mild-moderate hypermobility. The mean Beighton score was 4.9±0.7. Of those patients, 19 had also acrocyanosis (44.1%). In the group lacking hypermobility (303), only 6 cases of acrocyanosis detected (0.02%). In the acrocyanosis patients, whether or not accompanied with hypermobility, average hand and foot sizes per stature are larger than those without.
Conclusion
It has been known that, patients with hypermobility may have some vascular problems, including Raynaud’s phenomenon and varicose veins. Our observation points out that, besides joint hypermobility, probable vessel wall laxity might cause to passive engorgement of vascular structures, namely acrocyanosis.
Disclosure:
A. Dinc,
None;
G. Keskin,
None.
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