Psychometric investigation of Tyrolean patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon

Primary Raynaud's phenomenon (PRP) is provoked by digital vasospasm induced by cold and emotional strain. By use of established psychometric test instruments (Freiburger Aggressionsfragebogen (FAF), Fragebogen zur Abschatzung psychosomatischen Krankheitserlebens (FAPK), Stressverarbeitungsfragebogen (SVF 120)) we examined the patients` ways of dealing with aggression and distress as well as their experience of psychosomatic illness. In all psychometric tests performed there were no statistically significant differences between the patients and the controls, indicating that patients with PRP depict no specific ways of dealing with aggression and distress, and do not experience psychosomatic illness. The subgroup of patients with affective disorders and the subgroup of patients with impaired psychological well-being, displayed a depressive style of dealing with life events. Patients with major physical complaints of symptoms of Raynaud's phenomenon showed either an inability or a propensity to deny aggression. Patients with impaired psychological well-being tended to complain more often about severe physical symptoms associated with Raynaud's phenomenon. Psychometric testing in patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon cannot be recommended without additional psychiatric diagnostic. In patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon and psychiatric comorbidity psychometric testing can additionally provide useful clinical information.