title: [Systemic scleroderma].
abstract: Systemic scleroderma is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the skin, internal organs and the musculoskeletal system. The presence of Raynaud phenomenon, anti-nuclear antibodies and pathologic capillaroscopy are early signs of the disease. Limited cutaneous SSc, diffuse cutaneous SSc and SSc-overlap syndromes are the main clinical subtypes. Multidisciplinary care is mandatory. Follow-up examinations should be performed at least annually in order to recognize in a timely fashion treatable organ involvement such as pulmonary arterial hypertension. Besides symptomatic treatment of organ involvement, immunosuppressive therapy is indicated for a progressive inflammatory course.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie und Venerologie, Klinikum der Universität zu Köln. Nico.Hunzelmann@uni-koeln.de
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hunzelmann
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011928:Raynaud Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents