The peripheral vascular effects of nifedipine in Raynaud's syndrome associated with scleroderma: a double blind crossover study

Abstract

The effectiveness of nifedipine in the treatment of Raynaud's syndrome was assessed in 16 patients with systemic sclerosis or a variant of this condition. Changes in finger and forearm blood flow (venous occlusion plethysmography), skin temperature and digital systolic pressure were measured both during the acute period and after a 2-week treatment. Subjective assessment of efficacy was based on patient diary data. Finger blood flow increased significantly both during the acute period and after 2 weeks of nifedipine therapy compared to placebo (P less than 0.05). Digital skin temperature also increased during the study period (P less than 0.01). Forearm blood flow and digital systolic pressure did not change. Nifedipine significantly reduced the frequency (P less than 0.05), duration (P less than 0.05) and severity (P less than 0.01) of attacks. Eleven out of the sixteen patients experienced side effects while on nifedipine. These results suggest that nifedipine is of benefit in the treatment of Raynaud's syndrome in patients with systemic sclerosis over a short time course.