[Diagnostic value of thermography in Raynaud's phenomenon associated with systemic lupus erythematosus].

INTRODUCTION

The study was undertaken to determine of thermographic parameters for the assessment of Raynaud's phenomenon in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was done in 18 patients with SLE and 16 healthy volunteers without vasomotor disorders. Thermography was done with ThermaCAM SC500 infrared camera under conditions defined by the European Association of Thermology. Measurement of hand temperature preceded the cooling test during which the hands in latex gloves were placed in water at 20 degrees C for 1 minute. Palm temperature was measured after 0, 5, 10, and 20 minutes from removal of hands from water. The average temperature of fingers of both hands was calculated. Statistical comparison was done with Student's t-test.

RESULTS

1. The average temperature of fingers in patients with SLE was significantly different than in controls (p < 0.001). 2. The time of warming up of fingers to the starting temperature was longer than 10 minutes in SLE patients and shorter than 10 minutes in healthy controls.

CONCLUSION

Thermography is useful for the diagnosis of SLE.