Scleroderma
is a disease of the body’s connective tissue. Connective tissue is found throughout the body, providing support and form for organs and structures. Scleroderma is thought to be an autoimmune disorder—a condition in which the immune system mistakes the body’s own tissue for a foreign invader, attacking and damaging it. Researchers believe that the immune system’s interaction with the connective tissue causes an overproduction of collagen—a tough, hard protein that makes up tendons, bones, ligaments, and scar tissue. When this collagen is deposited in various places throughout the body, it causes hardening and stiffening.
The most common areas of the body affected by scleroderma are the skin, blood vessels, joints, and internal organs (heart, lungs, kidneys, and digestive system). Scleroderma is classified as:
This primarily affects the skin. Localized scleroderma is further divided into:
- Morphea—Skin lesions are firm, at times oval, whitish or brownish plaques, surrounded by a purplish ring.
- Linear—Skin lesions appear as hardened streaks or lines along the arms, legs, or forehead.
This is divided into:
- Limited—A gradually progressing form of scleroderma that initially causes skin thickening, but progresses to affect the internal organs.
- Diffuse—A more quickly progressing form of scleroderma that causes the skin to thicken throughout the body. It may also affect the internal organs.
This is a very rare form of scleroderma in which there are no skin manifestations, but the internal organs are affected. Around 40 people out of 100,000 have scleroderma. Women are more likely to be affected.
Braunwald E.
Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine.
15th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2001.
DynaMed Editorial Team. Scleroderma. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php. Updated September 23, 2010. Accessed November 9, 2010.
Ferri F, ed.
Ferri’s Clinical Advisor 2011.
Philadelphia, PA: Mosby Elsevier; 2010.
Firestein E, Kelley W.
Kelley’s Textbook of Rheumatology.
8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2008.
Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds.
Cecil Textbook of Internal Medicine.
23rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2008.
Habif TP.
Clinical Dermatology.
4th ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 2004.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases website. Available at:
http://www.niams.nih.gov/.
Noble J, Greene H.
Textbook of Primary Care Medicine.
St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 1996.
Rakel R.
Textbook of Family Medicine 2007.
7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2009.
Rakel R, Bope E.
Conn's Current Therapy.
60th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2009.
Scleroderma Foundation website. Available at:
http://www.scleroderma.org/.
Sleisenger M, Feldman M, Friedman L, Brandt L.
Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease.
8th ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 2005.
Last reviewed December 2011 by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © EBSCO Publishing. All rights reserved. |
|
 |
Physicians & Related Services |
|
|
|
|