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DOCUMENTS ON VARIOUS TOPICS RELATED TO SCLERODERMA

Sjögren’s syndrome associated with Systemic Scleroderma

Systemic scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that affects the functioning of small blood vessels and leads to excessive scarring. Individuals with scleroderma are at a higher risk of developing other autoimmune diseases, such as Sjögren’s syndrome. In this article, we will discuss what Sjögren’s syndrome is, and how it is diagnosed, treated, and monitored… Read more

 

Dermatological Interventions for Facial Manifestations in Scleroderma

As a result of scleroderma, many patients experience functional and cosmetic impairment of the face. This may affect the quality of life and psychological health of patients. Unfortunately, despite the  increasing use of cosmetic procedures in the general population, there is a lack of evidence evaluating the safety and effectiveness of these procedures in scleroderma patients… Read more

 

Accepting the Diagnosis of Scleroderma

Someone who has difficulty accepting their diagnosis may need to grieve for their previous life before being able to adapt and accept their new reality. This process may include progressions and regressions. It is not necessarily linear, and it varies from one person to the other, depending on their interpretation of their situation and their ability to bounce back. Regardless of the path taken, it is important to respect the person’s pace… Read more

 

Managing Anxiety and Stress

Everyone experiences anxiety and stress, this includes people with scleroderma. This article aims to demystify these two terms, to understand them, and to learn coping strategies… Read more

 

What is scleroderma?

Scleroderma, or systemic sclerosis, is a relatively misunderstood chronic disease affecting about one in 5,000 people. In British Columbia, it is estimated that several thousands of people suffer from scleroderma. Disease onset usually occurs in the fourth decade of life and is five time more prevalent in women than men. Scleroderma is one of the so-called “autoimmune” diseases in which the body’s antibodies attack its own cells… Read more

 

The Different Forms of Scleroderma

The name «scleroderma» is derived from the Greek words «sclero», meaning hard and «derma», meaning skin. Thus, the characteristic feature of scleroderma is the hardening of the skin. Scleroderma is generally divided into two main forms: localized scleroderma and systemic scleroderma (or systemic sclerosis)… Read more

 

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Systemic Sclerosis

PAH in systemic sclerosis is due to an exaggerated and progressive narrowing of the small blood vessels in the lungs. This is caused, on the one hand, by the increased presence of molecules (chem[1]ical signals) that promote the contraction and obliteration of the pulmonary arteries… Read more

 

Cardiac Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis

Cardiac involvement occurs in 10 to 30% of patients with systemic sclerosis. Cardiac involvement occurs in both the limited and diffuse forms of the disease, but is generally more frequent and severe in patients with diffuse disease… Read more

 

The Kidney in Systemic Sclerosis

The kidneys play a critical role in removing chemical waste products from the body, maintaining body fluid volume and controlling blood pressure. Kidney abnormalities encountered in systemic sclerosis are relatively common and, fortunately, most often with few consequences… Read more

 

Scleromyositis: a specific muscle manifestation of scleroderma

The main symptom of myositis is usually muscle weakness, mainly in the shoulders and hips. People with myositis may have difficulty lifting their arms above their shoulders, lifting heavy objects, climbing stairs or getting up from a seat… Read more

 

Bone Health & Scleroderma 

The prevalence of osteoporosis is increased in people with scleroderma, affecting approximately 30% of individuals. This increased risk may be related to the presence of risk factors for osteoporosis, such as advanced age, early menopause use of glucocorticoid drugs, malabsorption related to bowel involvement, vitamin D deficiency and chronic inflammation… Read more

 

Scleroderma in Children

There are two types of scleroderma in children.

The first is called «localized scleroderma». This is the most common in children. It affects the skin in one area of the body only. The other type is called «systemic scleroderma». This can affect many areas of the skin, as well as the organs of the body. It is rare in children… Read more

 

How to diagnose Systemic Sclerosis

The diagnosis of systemic sclerosis (SSc, systemic scleroderma) is usually based on the presence of a combination of symptoms and signs typical of systemic sclerosis: Raynaud’s phenomenon; skin thickening or puffy «sausage-like» swelling of the fingers; autoantibodies associated with systemic sclerosis in a blood sample; abnormalities in small blood vessels at the base of the nails; other skin and internal organ involvement associated with systemic sclerosis… Read more

 

 

 

 

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