Introduction/Objective Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP) is a common vasospastic condition that may develop secondary to cancer and/or in association with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs). We aimed to estimate the risk of cancer in RP without known SARDs, phenotypically akin to ‘primary’ RP. Methods A cohort study using data from North American electronic healthcare organization records. RP was defined using ≥ 2 ICD (I73.0) codes, excluding SARDs. Comparators had ≥ 2 irritable bowel syndrome ICD (K58) codes: selected with similar epidemiology to RP, and without any known excess in cancer risk. Cohorts were stratified by age (< 45 and ≥ 45 years). Our primary outcome was any cancer event. Secondary outcomes were rates of specific cancers: head and neck, digestive, thorax, skin, breast, haematological, male/female genital. Risk of each outcome was compared using 1:1 propensity score-matched Cox proportional hazard models. Results Among 34,582 (< 45 years) and 68,836 (≥ 45 years) matched pairs, the hazard ratio (HR) of any cancer was higher in RP: < 45 [1.11 (1.03, 1.19)] and ≥ 45 [1.08 (1.05, 1.11)]. Cancer-specific risks were calculated. RP was associated in both age groups with increased risk of thorax (HR 2.077 & 1.433), skin (HR 1.202 &1.213), and haematological (HR 1.647 & 1.338) cancers. RP was associated with decreased risk of digestive cancer (HR 0.686 & 0.894). Conclusion RP was associated with an increased risk of cancer, independent of age. We also describe varying cancer-specific risks. Future research is warranted to confirm and explore these novel observations, including potentially shared pathobiological mechanisms.<Table Float="No" ID="Taba"> <tgroup cols="2"> <colspec align="left" colname="c1" colnum="1" /> <colspec align="left" colname="c2" colnum="2" /> <tbody> <row> <entry nameend="c2" namest="c1"> Key Points • RP was associated with an overall increased risk of all cancers in younger (<45years) and older (≥45 years) individuals. • There was an increased risk of certain (e.g., thorax, skin, and haematological) cancers with RP. • A reduced risk of cancer was also noted for certain cancers, especially GI-related. • Future research should confirm and explore these observations, including the pathobiology underpinning potential cancer risk in RP. </entry> </row> </tbody> </tgroup> </Table>

An epidemiological study estimating the burden of cancer risk in patients with Raynaud’s phenomenon

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2026年1月29日

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Michael Hughes,
Edward Jude,
Zsuzsanna H. McMahan,
Uazman Alam,
Barbara Ruaro,
Sizheng Steven Zhao

摘要

Introduction/Objective

Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP) is a common vasospastic condition that may develop secondary to cancer and/or in association with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs). We aimed to estimate the risk of cancer in RP without known SARDs, phenotypically akin to ‘primary’ RP.

Methods

A cohort study using data from North American electronic healthcare organization records. RP was defined using ≥ 2 ICD (I73.0) codes, excluding SARDs. Comparators had ≥ 2 irritable bowel syndrome ICD (K58) codes: selected with similar epidemiology to RP, and without any known excess in cancer risk. Cohorts were stratified by age (< 45 and ≥ 45 years). Our primary outcome was any cancer event. Secondary outcomes were rates of specific cancers: head and neck, digestive, thorax, skin, breast, haematological, male/female genital. Risk of each outcome was compared using 1:1 propensity score-matched Cox proportional hazard models.

Results

Among 34,582 (< 45 years) and 68,836 (≥ 45 years) matched pairs, the hazard ratio (HR) of any cancer was higher in RP: < 45 [1.11 (1.03, 1.19)] and ≥ 45 [1.08 (1.05, 1.11)]. Cancer-specific risks were calculated. RP was associated in both age groups with increased risk of thorax (HR 2.077 & 1.433), skin (HR 1.202 &1.213), and haematological (HR 1.647 & 1.338) cancers. RP was associated with decreased risk of digestive cancer (HR 0.686 & 0.894).

Conclusion

RP was associated with an increased risk of cancer, independent of age. We also describe varying cancer-specific risks. Future research is warranted to confirm and explore these novel observations, including potentially shared pathobiological mechanisms.

Key Points

• RP was associated with an overall increased risk of all cancers in younger (<45years) and older (≥45 years) individuals.

• There was an increased risk of certain (e.g., thorax, skin, and haematological) cancers with RP.

• A reduced risk of cancer was also noted for certain cancers, especially GI-related.

• Future research should confirm and explore these observations, including the pathobiology underpinning potential cancer risk in RP.