Scleroderma is ...

•	A chronic, autoimmune disease of the connective tissue generally classified as one of the rheumatic diseases. Also known as systemic sclerosis.
•	A disease in which the symptoms may either be visible, as when the skin is affected, or invisible, as when only internal organs are involved.
•	A highly-individualized disease. Its involvement may range from mild symptoms to life-threatening.

Scleroderma is not ...

•	Contagious.
•	Cancerous or considered malignant in any way.
•	Inherited, as a general rule.

Who Has Scleroderma?

•	An estimated 300,000 persons in the United States have scleroderma.
•	Approximately 4 times more women than men develop the disease.

Causes of Scleroderma
The exact cause or causes of scleroderma are unknown. It is known that the disease process in scleroderma involves an over-production of collagen.

Classifications of Scleroderma

•	Localized Scleroderma
	•	More common in children.
	•	Usually found in only a few places on the skin or in the muscles.
	•	Rarely, if ever, does localized scleroderma develop into the systemic form of the disease.
•	Systemic Sclerosis
	•	May affect the connective tissue in many parts of the body, e.g. the skin, the esophagus, gastrointestinal tract, lungs, kidneys, heart and other internal organs. It may also affect blood vessels, muscles and joints.

Symptoms of Scleroderma
May include one or more of the following:

•	Raynaud's Phenomenon (abnormal sensitivity to cold in the extremities).
•	Swelling of the hands and feet.
•	Pain and stiffness of the joints.
•	Thickening of the skin.
•	Joint contractures.
•	Digestive system and gastrointestinal tract problems.
•	Sjogren's Syndrome (dry mucus membranes).
•	Oral, facial and dental problems.
•	Kidney, heart, and lung involvement.
•	Non-specific symptoms such as extreme fatigue, generalized weakness, weight loss, and vague aching of muscles, joints and bones.

How is Scleroderma Diagnosed?
The diagnostic process may require consultations with rheumatologists (arthritis specialists) and dermatologists (skin specialists) as well as blood studies and a variety of specialized tests depending upon which organs are affected. The treatment program varies depending on the type and severity of the symptoms. Diagnosis may be very difficult, particularly in the early stages, because many of the symptoms are common to, or may overlap with those of other diseases, especially other connective tissue diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and polymyositis.

This information comes from the Scleroderma Foundation website.

  

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