title: [Prognosis and treatment of scleroderma].
abstract: The prognosis and treatment of scleroderma depend on the clinicopathological form of the disease: superficial, localised scleroderma is only a minor cosmetic problem; circumscribed, deep forms of scleroderma may cause troublesome symptoms which justify steroid therapy. Circumscribed and diffuse scleroderma are similar to systemic scleroderma for which prognostic criteria have been identified. There is a poor prognosis in men, in extensive skin involvement and in intestinal, cardiac or renal involvement. Limited skin disease and anti-centromere antibodies are associated with a good prognosis. The absence of an animal model and the uncertainty as to the underlying cause, explain the therapeutic problems. The authors discuss the respective value of a number of "specific" drugs, including D-penicillamine which seems to be the most hopeful line of treatment. Continuous follow-up of this chronic condition remains essential for the diagnosis and symptomatic management of visceral complications.
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D003078:Colchicine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011379:Prognosis; D012594:Scleroderma, Localized / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D001323:Autoantibodies; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D010396:Penicillamine; D003078:Colchicine
vernacular_title: Pronostic et traitement des sclérodermies.