Open Access Rheumatology: Research and Reviews (Mar 2022)

Prevalence of Raynaud’s Phenomenon in Saudi Arabia

  • Mustafa M,
  • Alsulaimani H,
  • Alhaddad A,
  • Almujil S,
  • Albar Z,
  • Bawazir Y,
  • Alsolaimani R,
  • Omair MA

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 14
pp. 17 – 24

Abstract

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Mohammad Mustafa,1 Hadeel Alsulaimani,2 Abdulrahman Alhaddad,3 Sara Almujil,2 Zainab Albar,4 Yasser Bawazir,5 Roaa Alsolaimani,5 Mohammed A Omair6 1Department of Medicine, Rheumatology Unit, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 2Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 3Faculty of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health and Science, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 4School of Medicine, Umm Al Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia; 5Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 6Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Mohammad Mustafa, Department of Medicine, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Tel +966 541318900, Email [email protected]: Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP) is defined as frequent ischaemic attacks in the fingers and toes due to vascular vasospasm. Studies have been conducted in many countries worldwide to determine the prevalence of RP. The aim of the current study was to assess the prevalence of RP in the Saudi Arabian population.Patients and Methods: An online survey based on international consensus criteria used to diagnose RP was conducted to collect data from individuals from the Saudi population. Participants were considered positive if they had triphasic or biphasic colours of the extremities with cold-related sensitivity. Awareness of RP was also assessed.Results: A total of 1025 responses were collected and included in the final analysis. The prevalence of RP was 4.29%, including 22% men and 77% women. The most common age group among women was 26– 40 years (36.3%). Familiarity with RP was low, with 56.82% of participants lacking adequate awareness regarding RP. Only 32% of patients with RP reported attending doctor visits regarding symptoms of the disease.Conclusion: The RP prevalence in Saudi Arabia is comparable to that reported in the international literature. Public awareness activities should be conducted to increase knowledge about RP.Trial Registration: Not applicable.Keywords: Raynaud’s phenomenon, cold sensitivity, awareness

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