Long‐term outcome of primary Raynaud's phenomenon and its conversion to connective tissue disease: a 12‐year retrospective patient analysis

OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of development of connective tissue disease (CTD) in patients considered to have idiopathic Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) > 10 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Based on initial evaluation, 113 women and 29 men were divided into either 'primary RP' (n=109) or 'possible secondary RP' (n=33) groups and were re-evaluated after a median follow-up period of 12.4 years. RESULTS: Overall 20 patients (14.1%) progressed to a definite CTD; 10 from 'primary RP' (9.2%) and 10 from possible secondary RP' (30.3%). Initial presence of antinuclear antibodies, thickening of fingers, higher age at onset of RP, and female sex seemed to be important determinants for a possible transition to a CTD. CONCLUSION: In RP-patients, who are at risk of development of a CTD, serial clinical and laboratory controls are warranted for the decision to initiate therapy early.