Scleroderma - What Is It?
| The word scleroderma comes from two Greek words, ‘sclero' meaning hard and ‘derma' meaning skin from increased deposits of collagen . Scleroderma is a chronic autoimmune disease which affects blood vessels and connective tissue. In this condition the skin, usually of the hands and feet, becomes stiff, tight and shiny. This is because of swelling and then thickening of the connective tissue. Internal organs can also be affected in a similar way. |  |
There are two types of scleroderma: -
- Localized scleroderma - affects the skin in limited areas and the musculoskeletal system.
- Systemic sclerosis - is associated with over-activation of the immune system, which normally functions to protect the body against cancers and invading infections. This causes damage to cells that line small blood vessels, which in turn leads to the over-production of scar tissue.
Cause
In most cases, the cause of scleroderma is unknown. However, in a small minority of cases, scleroderma or scleroderma-like illnesses are associated with exposure to certain toxins or as a complication of bone marrow transplants. Scleroderma is not contagious and is rarely inherited, but patients usually develop arthritis
Health Impact
- Scleroderma affects women more than men and adults more than children.
- 10-20 new cases are diagnosed per million people each year.
- Five-year survival rate is 80 – 85 percent.
- Lung, heart and kidney damage are the most frequent causes of severe disability.
- Patients have a reduction in hand function because of joint deformity or finger ulcers.
