title: [Ischemic ulcers in systemic connective tissue disorders].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ischemic ulcers (digital ulcers) are often observed in systemic connective tissue disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review article is based on a Pubmed search with the terms "digital ulcers" and "ischemic ulcers", and on the authors' clinical experience.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Up to 40 % of patients with systemic sclerosis have digital ulcers. Non-rheumatic causes of compromised blood circulation must be excluded. The treatment consists of analgesics, prevention of cooling and antibiotics if the ulcers are infected. Other possible treatments are vasodilators, prostacyclin analogues, endothelin receptor antagonists, sildenafil and chemical or surgical sympathectomy.
authors.affiliation: Revmatologisk avdeling Rikshospitalet-Radiumhospitalet 0027 Oslo. jan.tore.gran@rikshospitalet.no
authors.forename: Jan Tore
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Gran
authors.forename: Øyvind
authors.initials: Ø
authors.lastname: Midtvedt
mesh_terms: D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D005385:Fingers; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014034:Toes