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Q.

What is scleroderma?

Related Topics: Scleroderma
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Scleroderma (pronounced SKLEER-oh-der-ma) is a term that comes from the Greek for "hard skin." It's classified as both a connective tissue disorder and a rheumatic condition. In scleroderma, the skin gradually tightens and thickens or hardens. It loses its ability to stretch.

Tiny blood vessels throughout the body also may be affected, causing widespread damage to internal organs. Although the disease usually affects the hands, face, and feet, impaired blood flow and the the deposit of “scar “ tissue can eventually injure the body's digestive, respiratory, renal, and circulatory systems.

Scleroderma can look very different in different people. There are many subtypes of this condition. Doctors generally classify scleroderma as either localized or systemic, depending on the degree to which the skin is affected. The widespread form of the disease is often called systemic sclerosis and can be life-threatening.

An estimated 300,000 Americans have scleroderma. The incidence appears to be higher in the United States than in Europe or Japan and varies across geographic regions. No one race or ethnic group is affected more than another, although women have scleroderma in much greater numbers than men.

Women develop localized forms of the disease three times as frequently as men, and more than 80% of people with systemic scleroderma are women aged 30 to 50. Rarely, children can also develop scleroderma. In the past two decades, longevity has improved for people with systemic scleroderma as better treatments have been developed.

This answer should not be considered medical advice...down arrowThis answer should not be considered medical advice and should not take the place of a doctor’s visit. Please see the bottom of the page for more information or visit our Terms and Conditions.up arrow

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