Treatment of systemic sclerosis.
Guidelines for the conduct of clinical trials in progressive systemic sclerosis have been recommended to determine drug efficacy better. To date, the results of disease-modifying drugs in scleroderma have been disappointing. The treatment of esophagitis has been revolutionized by omeprazole. Raynaud's phenomenon can be treated with calcium channel blockers and iloprost. Scleroderma renal crisis can be treated with aggressive blood pressure control using angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. The best treatment for rapidly progressive scleroderma lung is still unknown. Future treatments in scleroderma should be tested with the use of recommended guidelines.
Pope
J E
JE
University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D018579:Patient Selection; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011928:Raynaud Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D010396:Penicillamine