How Is Raynauds Phenomenon Classified?
Doctors classify Raynaud’s phenomenon as either the primary or the secondary form. In medical literature, “primary Raynaud’s phenomenon” may also be called Raynaud’s disease, idiopathic Raynaud’s phenomenon, or primary Raynaud’s syndrome. The terms idiopathic and primary both mean that the cause is unknown. Primary Raynaud’s Phenomenon Most people who have Raynaud’s phenomenon have the primary form (the milder version). A person who has primary Raynaud’s phenomenon has no underlying disease or associated medical problems. More women than men are affected, and approximately 75 percent of all cases are diagnosed in women who are between 15 and 40 years old. People who have only vasospastic attacks for several years, without involvement of other body systems or organs, rarely have or will develop a secondary disease (that is, a connective tissue disorder such as scleroderma) later. Several researchers who studied people who appeared to have primary Raynaud’s phenomenon over long periods o
