Cappelle, Jesse (J.R.) (2025) Raynaud’s phenomenon: from ischemic patterns to smart monitoring. thesis, Medicine.
Full text available on request.Abstract
Background: Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is characterized by cold-induced ischemia of the fingers. Current monitoring methods lack objective and continuous ambulatory data collection. Smart rings could fill this gap. Therefore, we aimed to assess the accuracy of a smart ring in detecting cold-induced ischemia. To determine its optimal placement, we aimed to determine the frequency of ischemia and the mean temperature at which ischemia occurs. Methods: 870 patients (53.0% male, median age 49.7) underwent cooling procedures at our laboratory from 2008 to 2025, in a study-setting (38.1%) or as part of routine clinical testing (61.9%). Twelve participants were included for cooling procedures with smart rings. Blood flow was assessed using fingertip photo-electric plethysmography. Results: The minority (41.7%) had all five fingers involved. The index (79.2%, 95%CI: 76.4-81.8) and middle fingers (77.6%, 95%CI: 74.7-80.3) showed the highest proportions of ischemia. Lower proportions of ischemic rates were seen in the thumb (71.5%, 95%CI: 68.4-74.4), ringfinger (66.4%, 95%CI: 63.2-69.5) and little finger (64.3%, 95% CI: 61.0-67.4). Ischemia occurred at a lower temperature in the middle (18.0°C, IQR:15.0-18.0) and ring finger (18.0°C, IQR:15.0-24.0) versus the thumb (21.0°C, IQR:15.0-24.0) and index finger (21.0°C, IQR:15.0-24.0). A protocol was developed for studying the accuracy of the smart ring. Conclusion: In slightly less than half of the cases, cold-induced ischemia affects all five fingers, with the index and middle fingers most often involved. Ischemia occurs at lower temperatures in the middle and ring fingers. Smart rings need to be further studied in the context of RP.
| Item Type: | Thesis (UNSPECIFIED) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Mulder, dr. Udo (D.J.) |
| Faculty: | Medical Sciences |
| Date Deposited: | 23 Mar 2026 14:18 |
| Last Modified: | 23 Mar 2026 14:18 |
| URI: | https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3907 |
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