Blood biomarkers for vibration-induced white fingers. A case-comparison study.

Background Vibration induced white fingers (VWF) is one form of secondary Raynaud's phenomenon (RP). Methods Vibration exposed workers with RP and vibration exposed controls without RP participated. Blood samples were collected before and after cold challenge exposure (COP). The concentration of von Willebrand factor (vonWf), thrombomodulin (TM), serotonin (SER), endothelin-1 (ET1), calcitonin gene-related peptide, or thromboxane A(2)was calculated. The diagnostic usefulness of the substances for ruling in the diagnosis of Raynaud's was evaluated. Results The cases showed a significant lower concentration of vonWf before and after COP, a significant increase of ET1 and a decrease of TM after COP. The diagnostic usefulness of vonWf showed a likelihood of defining a true case by 35%. Conclusions vonWf, TM, SER, or ET(1)are suggested biomarkers for VWF. Diagnostic evaluation of vonWf showed a likelihood of defining a true case by 35% in the diagnosis of RP related to vibration.