Abstract
The occurrence of diffuse pulmonary fibrosis in patients with Raynaud's disease and scleroderma, though rare, has been noted in several instances. 1 , 2 The question, therefore, arises as to whether the lung volume and pulmonary dynamics are abnormal in patients with Raynaud's disease and, more particularly, whether exposure to cold affects their pulmonary function. Three patients have been studied; all were females and ranged in age from 15 to 39 years. One of them (Case 3) had cough, dyspnea and X-ray evidence of diffuse pulmonary fibrosis of the type associated with Raynaud's disease. 2 No such findings were present in the other two. All studies were made by the method of Christie, 3 with the patients in the recumbent position. Measurements were made before and again after the patients' legs and at least one hand had been exposed to ice.
Observations. The lung volume and pulmonary dynamics in the 2 patients (Cases 1 and 2) with no clinical or X-ray evidence of pulmonary fibrosis were within normal limits. Case 3, in whom evidences of pulmonary fibrosis were present, exhibited a striking decrease in total pulmonary capacity, vital capacity and complemental air, with a lesser decrease in reserve air; the residual and functional residual airs were within normal limits. The respiratory rate and minute volume were increased.
Exposure to cold caused no change in lung volume or its subdivisions in any of the patients. The respiratory minute volume increased slightly. In addition to the studies here detailed, similar measurements of pulmonary function were made in one Case out of doors with the temperature at 40-50° F, with no difference in results.
Discussion. The 2 patients (Cases 1 and 2) with no clinical or X-ray evidence of pulmonary disease showed no physiological evidence of impaired respiratory function.
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