Systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma) is a disease in which inflammatory and fibrotic changes result in overproduction and accumulation of collagen and other extracellular matrix proteins, resulting in intimal vascular damage, fibrosis, and occasionally organ dysfunction affecting the gastrointestinal, lung, heart, and renal systems. There are two classifications of SSc—limited cutaneous or CREST (calcinosis, Raynaud’s, esophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, and telangectasias) syndrome, where skin thickening occurs mainly in the distal extremities and facial/neck areas and internal organ involvement, if present, occurs later in the disease process; and diffuse cutaneous disease where there is a more rapid progression of skin thickening from distal to proximal and organ involvement can be severe and occur early in the disease. As noted by various authors, there is no “crystal ball” into which one can look to see the outcome of the disease, and involvement varies significantly from one person to the next.
Search results for: diffuse systemic sclerosis
Capillaroscopy a Safe and Direct Method for SSc Diagnosis
Seeing vessels clearly can help with discovery and timely treatment
The LUMINA Study
Impact beyond lupus in U.S. Hispanics
Can Technology Help Solve Scleroderma Renal Crisis?
A case study in using the Internet to facilitate rare disease research
The Heart-SCC Puzzle
Identifying and treating cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis can be a challenge
Lupus in the Child’s Mind
Unique neuropsychiatric problems require a unique approach
Know Your Labs
A review of state-of-the-art testing for SLE and connective tissue disease.
The Brain in Lupus
The Mary Kirkland Center lupus conference offers insight into cognitive aspects of SLE
A Heart In Danger
Rheumatologists should monitor and aggressively treat cardiac risk factors in patients with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis
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