Recognition of Family Practitioners on Cold Hands/Feet Syndrome and Raynaud's Disease

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Many patients with "cold hands/feet syndrome" have been taking herbal medicine or medicine to improve blood circulation without proven evidence. Raynaud's disease had been neglected in primary care. This study was conducted to investigate the recognition for Raynaud's disease and "cold hands/feet syndrome" by family doctors. METHODS: A questionnaire was posted to 905 family doctors who were in practice from January to July 2003. RESULTS: Among the 274 respondents, 58 (21%) reported that they have seen patients with "sensitive to cold" frequently and 208 (76%) doctors have seen such patients sometimes. Only 8 (3%) doctors answered that they have never seen patients with such symptoms. When such patients see a doctor and complain of "cold hands/feet syndrome", most doctors (60%) prescribed medicine that improved blood circulation (83%) or calcium channel blockers (9%). In case of questions like 'Do you suspect "cold hands/feet syndrome" or "sensitive to cold" contain Raynaud's disease?', 132 (48%) doctors answered 'yes'. And among the 132 doctors, only 15 (11.2%) doctors thought that those patients with "cold hands/feet syndrome" had Raynaud's disease. In addition when the doctors diagnosed the condition as Raynaud's disease, 54% prescribed medicine that improved blood circulation (52%) or calcium channel blockers (40%). CONCLUSION: Most doctors prescribe medicine that improves blood circulation for cold hands/feet syndrome. Many doctors also prescribe medicine to improve blood circulation for Raynaud's disease frequently. The result of our study suggests that there is a need to train doctors so that recognized and diagnosed Raynaud's disease can be correctly.