Thailand’s Department of Medical Services Warns Smoking-Linked Buerger’s Disease Can Lead to Limb Loss

BANGKOK — Thailand’s Department of Medical Services has warned about Buerger’s disease, a rare inflammatory blood vessel disorder strongly associated with tobacco use that can restrict blood flow to the hands and feet and, in severe cases, lead to tissue death and limb loss.

Rajavithi Hospital, under the Department of Medical Services, said Buerger’s disease, also known as thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO), is an uncommon inflammatory condition that typically affects small- and medium-sized arteries and veins in the arms and legs.

The condition can reduce blood flow to the extremities. In advanced cases, severe ischemia can cause tissue damage or gangrene, potentially resulting in the loss of fingers, toes or other parts of a limb.

Buerger’s Disease Is Strongly Associated With Tobacco Use

Sakarn Bunnag M.D., Deputy Director-General of the Department of Medical Services, said Buerger’s disease is closely associated with cigarette smoking and the use of tobacco products, with most patients having a history of tobacco exposure.

Continued tobacco use is associated with progression of the disease and worsening ischemia in affected limbs.

Patients should therefore receive medical assessment and professional support to develop an appropriate smoking cessation and treatment plan based on their individual condition.

Cold, Numb or Painful Fingers and Toes May Be Warning Signs

Jinda Rojanamatin M.D., Director of Rajavithi Hospital, said early symptoms of Buerger’s disease may be non-specific and can vary from person to person.

Warning signs may include coldness, numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes, pain while walking or using the affected limb, and changes in the color of the fingers or toes.

When blood flow becomes severely restricted, patients may experience pain even while resting. Sores or ulcers may also develop on the fingers or toes, heal slowly and become infected.

Early medical assessment is therefore important.

Diagnosis is generally based on a patient’s medical history and symptoms, physical examination and vascular assessment, while doctors also need to rule out other conditions that may produce similar symptoms.

Complete Tobacco Cessation Is Central to Treatment

Pongpol Sriphan M.D.,  a vascular surgeon at Rajavithi Hospital, said Buerger’s disease is a chronic inflammatory and obstructive disease of peripheral blood vessels that can reduce blood supply to the limbs.

The condition can cause pain, numbness and chronic wounds. In severe cases, tissue death may eventually make amputation of a finger, toe or limb necessary.

According to Rajavithi Hospital, the most important part of managing Buerger’s disease is the complete cessation of smoking and all forms of tobacco use.

Treatment can be particularly challenging because the disease often affects small blood vessels in the extremities, which may make conventional revascularization procedures such as bypass surgery or angioplasty difficult in some patients.

Stem Cell Therapy Being Explored for Severe Limb Ischemia

Rajavithi Hospital also highlighted stem cell-based therapy as an emerging approach being explored for patients with severe peripheral ischemia where conventional vascular interventions may be limited.

The approach is being investigated for its potential to promote the formation of new small blood vessels, a process known as therapeutic angiogenesis, with the aim of improving blood flow to ischemic tissue.

Potential clinical goals include reducing pain at rest, supporting wound healing and lowering the risk of limb loss.

However, stem cell-based approaches for Buerger’s disease require careful specialist assessment and should not be viewed as a replacement for complete tobacco cessation. Their suitability depends on the individual patient and should be determined under close supervision by vascular specialists.

For people who smoke or use tobacco and develop persistent coldness, numbness, discoloration, pain or non-healing wounds in the fingers or toes, early medical evaluation may help identify vascular problems before severe tissue damage develops.

 

 

Source : Thai Health Promotion Foundation