Immunologic studies on the pathogenesis of Raynaud's phenomenon in vibration disease

Summary These examinations were designed to explain the role of immunologic reactivity in the pathogenesis of Raynaud's phenomenon due to vibration. Patients were divided into 3 groups: 81 with positive and 50 with negative Raynaud's phenomenon in vibration disease, and 37 with Raynaud's disease in patients not exposed to mechanical vibration. In the Raynaud's-positive group, increase of beta globulins, gamma globulins, and antiglobulin antibodies were found. The cold hemagglutinin reaction was detected more often in the Raynaud's-positive, than in the Raynaud's-negative group. IgG serum concentration in persons with prodromal symptoms and IgG immunoglobulins in the developed form of vibration disease was significantly increased. The role of the immunologic basis of Raynaud's phenomenon due to vibration was taken into consideration.