Causes

The cause of scleroderma is unknown. People with this condition have a buildup of a substance called collagen in the skin and other organs. This buildup leads to the symptoms of the disease.

The disease usually affects people 30 to 50 years old. Women get scleroderma more often than men do. Some people with scleroderma have a history of being around silica dust and polyvinyl chloride, but most do not.

Widespread scleroderma can occur with other autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus and polymyositis. In such cases, the disorder is referred to as mixed connective disease.

Symptoms

Some types of scleroderma affect only the skin, while others affect the whole body.

• Localized scleroderma usually affects only the skin on the hands and face. It develops slowly, and rarely, if ever, spreads throughout the body or causes serious complications.
• Systemic scleroderma, or sclerosis, may affect large areas of skin and organs such as the heart, lungs, or kidneys. There are two main types of systemic scleroderma: Limited disease (CREST syndrome) and diffuse disease.

Skin symptoms of scleroderma may include:

• Fingers or toes that turn blue or white in response to hot and cold temperatures (See: Raynaud's phenomenon)
• Hair loss
• Skin hardness
• Skin that is abnormally dark or light
• Skin thickening, stiffness, and tightness of fingers, hands, and forearm
• Small white lumps beneath the skin, sometimes oozing a white substance that looks like toothpaste
• Sores (ulcers) on the fingertips or toes
• Tight and mask-like skin on the face

Bone and muscle symptoms may include:

• Joint pain
• Numbness and pain in the feet
• Pain, stiffness, and swelling of fingers and joints
• Wrist pain

Breathing problems may result from scarring in the lungs and can include:

• Dry cough
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing

Digestive tract problems may include:

• Bloating after meals
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty swallowing
• Esophageal reflux or heartburn
• Problems controlling stools (fecal incontinence)

Exams and Tests

The health care provider will perform a physical exam. The exam may show hard, tight, thick skin.

Your blood pressure will be checked. Scleroderma can cause severe inflammation of small blood vessels, such as those in the kidneys. Problems with your kidneys can lead to high blood pressure.

Blood tests may include:

• Antinuclear antibody (ANA) panel
• Antibody testing
• ESR (sed rate)
• Rheumatoid factor

Other tests may include:

• Chest x-ray
• CT scan of the lungs
• Echocardiogram
• Urinalysis
• Tests to see how well your lungs and gastrointestinal (GI) tract are working
• Skin biopsy

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for scleroderma.

Your doctor will prescribe medicines and other treatments to control your symptoms and prevent complications.

Medicines used to treat scleroderma include:

• Power anti-inflammatory medicines called corticosteroids
• Immune-suppressing medications such as methotrexate and Cytoxan
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Other treatments for specific symptoms may include:

• Medicines for heartburn or swallowing problems
• Blood pressure medications (particularly ACE inhibitors) for high blood pressure or kidney problems
• Light therapy to relieve skin thickening
• Medicines to improve breathing
• Medications to treat Raynaud's phenomenon

Treatment usually also involves physical therapy.

Support Groups

See: Scleroderma - resources

Outlook (Prognosis)

Some people with scleroderma have symptoms that develop quickly over the first few years and continue to get worse. However, in most patients, the disease slowly gets worse.

People who only have skin symptoms have a better outlook. Widespread (systemic) scleroderma can damage the heart, kidney, lungs, or GI tract, which may cause death.

Lung problems are the most common cause of death in patients with scleroderma.

Possible Complications

The most common cause of death in people with scleroderma is scarring of the lungs, called pulmonary fibrosis.

Other complications of scleroderma include:

• Cancer
• Heart failure
• High blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension)
• Kidney failure
• Problems absorbing nutrients from food (malabsorption)

When to Contact a Medical Professional

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

Prevention

There is no known prevention. Reducing your exposure to silica dust and polyvinyl chloride may lower your risk for this disease.

Alternative Names

CREST syndrome; Limited scleroderma; Progressive systemic sclerosis; Systemic sclerosis; Localized scleroderma; Mixed connective disease; Morphea - linear

References

Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007.

Varga J, Denton CP. Systemic sclerosis and the scleroderma-spectrum disorders. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Harris ED Jr., et al., eds. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 77.

Clouse RE, Diamant NE. Esophageal motor and sensory function and motor disorders of the esophagus. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2006:chap 41.

Update Date: 2/2/2012

Reviewed by: Ariel D. Teitel, MD, MBA, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, NYU Langone Medical Center. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.