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Scleroderma

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

CREST syndrome; Progressive systemic sclerosis; Systemic sclerosis

Treatment:

Drugs used to treat scleroderma include:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Corticosteroids

Other treatments for specific symptoms may include:

• Antacids for heartburn
• Medications to treat Raynaud's phenomenon
• Blood pressure medications (particularly ACE inhibitors) for high blood pressure or kidney problems
• Medicines to improve breathing

Treatment usually includes a combination of physical therapy and skin and joint protection techniques (for example, avoiding cold in the case of Raynaud's phenomenon).

Support Groups:

See: Scleroderma - support group

Expectations (prognosis):

In most patients, the disease slowly gets worse. People who only have skin involvement have a better outlook. Death may occur from gastrointestinal, cardiac, kidney, or pulmonary (lung) involvement.

Complications:

• Heart failure
• Kidney failure
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Malabsorption

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if:

• You have symptoms of scleroderma
• You have scleroderma and symptoms become worse or new symptoms develop

• Review Date: 4/26/2007
• Reviewed By: Steve Lee, DO, Rheumatology Fellow, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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