A chronic disease whose causes remain unknown, scleroderma is manifested by the presence of specific autoantibodies, diffuse fibrosis, vascular damage to the skin but which can spread to organs (digestive system, heart, kidney) More common in women than men, it usually occurs between the ages of 20 and 50 but can affect children.

What are the symptoms of scleroderma?

Locally, the skin thickens and presents lesions fibrosis in plates or strips. limited systemic sclerosis (syndrome crest) presents with a slowly progressive thickening of the skin of the face, feet, hands, forearms, feet which may be accompanied by food back up in the esophagus, painful digital cysts and seizures‘Arthritis significantly affect the quality of life of patients. Raynaud’s phenomenon (sensation of numbness, changes in the fingers and toes) color of the skin) is considered a precursor of Pathology, In its diffuse form (generalized systemic sclerosis with diffuse cutaneous involvement), scleroderma can affect the joints (withdrawal) and the digestive tract. Rapidly developing, this type can present major complications in the lungs (interstitial lung disease) or kidneys (crisis.) kidney scleroderma).

Causes and treatment of scleroderma

For reasons still unclear, endothelial cells lining the interior of small vessels skin and organs are destroyed causing an inflammatory response and producingautoantibodies Specific. This apoptosis leads to excessive formation of cell fibroblasts which usually participate in tissue repair with the overproduction of collagen causes fibrosis. Therefore scleroderma is considered an autoimmune disease in which immune system The person turns against him.

The causes of the disease are unknown. Of foreshadowing Genetics are discussed. clinical Based on the detection of circulating autoantibodies. there is no cure curative Against scleroderma, patient management is based on treatments adapted to the affected organs. Some immunosuppressants may improve pulmonary complications.