Systemic sclerosis – a team approach

Systemic sclerosis, (scleroderma) is a multi-system, heterogeneous condition. The clinical manifestations are a result of vascular system and fibroblast pathology. Most existing therapies are vasoactive or immunomodulatory. There are recognised associations between anti-centromere antibodies (ACA) and limited disease, anti-Scl-70 (anti-topo 1) with diffuse disease plus interstitial lung disease, anti-RNA polymerase III (RNAPIII) with diffuse disease plus renal cell crisis. Anti-PM/Scl is associated with myositis/scleroderma overlap. Correlations, such as the increased cancer risk seen in anti-RNA PMIII positive patients may be helpful clinically. Dr Janet Roddy, Rheumatologist Raynaud’s disease present in up to 90% of scleroderma patients, is often refractory to…