Blood biomarkers for vibration-induced white fingers. A case-comparison study.

BACKGROUND

Vibration induced white fingers (VWF) is one form of secondary Raynaud's phenomenon (RP).

METHODS

Vibration exposed workers with RP and vibration exposed controls without RP participated. Blood samples were collected before and after cold challenge exposure (COP). The concentration of von Willebrand factor (vonWf), thrombomodulin (TM), serotonin (SER), endothelin-1 (ET ), calcitonin gene-related peptide, or thromboxane A was calculated. The diagnostic usefulness of the substances for ruling in the diagnosis of Raynaud's was evaluated.

RESULTS

The cases showed a significant lower concentration of vonWf before and after COP, a significant increase of ET  and a decrease of TM after COP. The diagnostic usefulness of vonWf showed a likelihood of defining a true case by 35%.

CONCLUSIONS

vonWf, TM, SER, or ET are suggested biomarkers for VWF. Diagnostic evaluation of vonWf showed a likelihood of defining a true case by 35% in the diagnosis of RP related to vibration.