Systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma) is a disease in which inflammatory and fibrotic changes result in overproduction and accumulation of collagen and other extracellular matrix proteins, resulting in intimal vascular damage, fibrosis, and occasionally organ dysfunction affecting the gastrointestinal, lung, heart, and renal systems. There are two classifications of SSc—limited cutaneous or CREST (calcinosis, Raynaud’s, esophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, and telangectasias) syndrome, where skin thickening occurs mainly in the distal extremities and facial/neck areas and internal organ involvement, if present, occurs later in the disease process; and diffuse cutaneous disease where there is a more rapid progression of skin thickening from distal to proximal and organ involvement can be severe and occur early in the disease. As noted by various authors, there is no “crystal ball” into which one can look to see the outcome of the disease, and involvement varies significantly from one person to the next.
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Experts Tackle Tough Pain Challenges
NIH conference brings together experts to discuss pain treatment
An ‘Idea Factory’ Focused on Patient Care
Trish Cornell, BSc, combines clinical and leadership skills to improve patient management
Treat JIA Without Slowing Growth
Etanercept does not impede normal height and weight development in these patients
Build a Solid Foundation for Patient Care: 2011 Professional Meetings
You’ve come to rely on the ACR for meeting your professional development needs. Along with the ACR/ARHP Annual Scientific Meeting, the College provides symposia and other courses designed especially for rheumatology health professionals.
Ethics Forum: Understanding the Challenges in Rheumatology Today
Understanding the challenges in rheumatology today
Strides in Recognition and Management of Joint Hypermobility Syndrome
Strides in recognition and management of joint hypermobility syndrome
Omeract How to Get into the “Act”
Meet this international organization that focuses on rheumatology outcome measures
The RA Body Connection
Novel research explores a possible link between BMI and RA
Dr. Wolfe & the National Data Bank for Rheumatic Diseases (NBD)
A private database becomes a national resource