title: Current approaches to the management of early active diffuse scleroderma skin disease.
abstract: Skin sclerosis is a clinical hallmark of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and provides a means to classify and evaluate patients. In the diffuse cutaneous subset, skin involvement is often extensive and warrants direct therapy. Currently, broad spectrum immunosuppressive strategies are used, but more targeted specific approaches are now emerging. This article reviews the evidence for efficacy of current treatment approaches and future developments for managing skin disease in early diffuse cutaneous SSc.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Rheumatology, Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, London NW3 2QG, UK.
authors.forename: Svetlana I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Nihtyanova
authors.forename: Christopher P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Denton
mesh_terms: D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D017893:Photopheresis; D045743:Scleroderma, Diffuse / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents