A randomized, single-blinded cross-over trial of ischemic preconditioning in Raynaud’s phenomenon

Abstract

IntroductionIschemic preconditioning (IPC) is protective against future ischemia, with brief cycles of ischemia and reperfusion leading to the release of circulating endogenous compounds from ischemic cells. IPC may increase vasodilatory substances and improve Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP). We hypothesized that IPC would be more effective than sham in RP treatment. Sample size required 18 participants to detect 5 fewer RP attacks per week.

MethodsThis was a randomized single-blinded cross-over trial. The IPC intervention of inflating a standard blood pressure cuff on the upper arm (200 mmHg) and sham intervention (60 mmHg) were performed 3 times per week for 2 weeks, with a 2-week washout period between IPC and sham interventions. Cuff inflation was performed 4 times for 2.5 minutes, with 2.5 minutes between cuff inflation. Participants completed a daily diary on RP disease activity.

ResultsEighteen participants were enrolled (17 with secondary RP and 1 with primary RP); mean age 60.8 (SD 9.4) years, 89% female; and mean number of RP attacks/2 weeks in screen was 16.9 (SD 11.3). With IPC versus sham, results were not significant including an increase of 0.5 RP episodes/week (SD: 10.0; p = 0.84), decrease of 55.6 minutes per week (SD 516.4; p = 0.66), and a decrease in average severity of 0.4 points (on a scale of 0 to 10) (SD 12.9; p = 0.88). Secondary outcomes were also not significant.

ConclusionsNo significant differences in RP disease activity were found between IPC and sham. This could be due to lack of effect of IPC on RP, too few treatments, or sham having a partial effect.

Post author correction

Article Type: ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE

Article Subject: Treatment

DOI:10.5301/jsrd.5000253

Authors

Ramona Neferu, Louise Vanderhoek, Sara Hewitt, Tatiana Nevskaya, Janet E. Pope

Article History

Disclosures

Financial support: This study was funded in part by the Schulich Research Opportunities Program (SROP).
Conflict of interest: Janet Pope consults and has performed research trials by AbbVie, Actelion, Amgen, Bayer, BMS, Pfizer, GSK, Hospira, Lilly, Merck, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, UCB. Ramona Neferu, Louise Vanderhoek, Sara Hewitt, Tatiana Nevskaya have nothing to declare.

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Authors

Affiliations

  • Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON – Canada
  • Department of Medicine, Rheumatology Division, St. Joseph’s Health Care London, London, ON – Canada

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