An autoimmune condition causing hardening of the skin that can also affect blood vessels and internal organs, where specialist care makes a difference
Systemic sclerosis, also called scleroderma, is an autoimmune condition in which the body produces too much collagen, leading to hardening and tightening of the skin. It can also affect the small blood vessels and, in some people, internal organs. It varies considerably between individuals, so care is tailored to each person.
Written for patients and reviewed by Dr Liubov Borukhson, Consultant Rheumatologist (GMC 7021928).
Systemic sclerosis can affect several systems. Features may include:
Diagnosis brings together your symptoms, a careful examination of the skin and circulation, blood tests for particular antibodies, and assessments of any organ involvement. Because Raynaud's and early skin changes can be subtle, specialist assessment helps reach an accurate picture and judge whether monitoring of other systems is needed.
Where the joints are involved, ultrasound can help assess inflammation. Dr Borukhson uses point-of-care ultrasound during the consultation. You can read more on the ultrasound clinic page.
There is no single treatment, as care is directed at the specific features a person has: protecting the circulation, managing skin and joint symptoms, addressing digestive issues, and monitoring and treating any organ involvement. The approach is individual and is reviewed regularly, with input from other specialists where appropriate.
Systemic sclerosis can affect the skin, circulation and internal organs, so care often benefits from the involvement of more than one specialty. Dr Borukhson practises within a world-renowned tertiary centre, with ready access to consultant colleagues across the other specialties that may be involved in caring for this condition. Where appropriate, she can involve those specialists directly, and bring particularly complex cases to a multidisciplinary team meeting (MDT) with minimal delay. This means that, when more than one area of expertise is needed, your care can be joined up and decisions reached promptly.
Systemic sclerosis benefits from early recognition and ongoing, coordinated care, particularly to monitor for any organ involvement. If you have new Raynaud's alongside skin tightening or other symptoms, a specialist review is worthwhile.
A specialist assessment can establish whether systemic sclerosis is involved and put in place tailored, coordinated care
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