Coldness and numbness of the lower limbs in patients with vibration syndrome were studied in correlation with the frequency of attacks of vibration-induced white finger (VWF), coldness and numbness of the upper limbs, and awakening at night due to numbness of the arm. Subjects were 229 patients aged 50-69 years without disease other than vibration syndrome who had mainly operated chain saws. The present study showed that patients with more frequent VWF attacks had a higher prevalence and frequency of coldness in the fingers, awakening at night due to numbness of the arm, and coldness and numbness in the legs. Particularly patients having almost daily attacks of VWF had a high prevalence of these symptoms. Positive correlation was observed in prevalence and frequency between coldness of the fingers and that of the legs, and between coldness and numbness in the legs. The prevalence of VWF, numbness and coldness of the fingers, and coldness of the legs was higher the longer the total chain saw operating period. The present findings suggest that patients with severe circulatory disturbances in the upper limbs have severe circulatoy disturbance in the lower limbs. Further studies on circulatory disturbances in the lower limbs are indicated, and their mechanism involved should be also pursued from the pathogenetic point of view.
