Treatment:

Drugs used to treat scleroderma include:

• Corticosteroids
• Immunosuppressants (Methotrexate, Cytoxan)
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Other treatments for specific symptoms may include:

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

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 - resources

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, heart, kidney, or lung involvement.

One type of scleroderma, called localized scleroderma, involves only problems of the skin of the hands and face. It gets worse very slowly and usually does not affect any other parts of the body.

Systemic scleroderma can involve many organs in the body. In some people, it will progress slowly and not involve any organs in the body. In others, organs such as the lungs, kidneys, intestines, gallbladder, and heart become involved.

For some, symptoms and problems develop quickly over the first few years, and continue to worsen. Others get worse much more slowly. Problems with the lungs are the most common cause of death in patients with scleroderma.

Complications:

• Heart failure
• Kidney failure
• Malabsorption
• Pulmonary fibrosis (the most common cause of death in people with scleroderma)
• Pulmonary hypertension

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