Systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease marked by small-vessel injury and excessive collagen deposition. It can thicken the skin and damage organs such as the lungs, heart, kidneys, and digestive tract.

Raynaud phenomenon: Episodes of reduced blood flow to the fingers or toes, commonly triggered by cold or emotional stress. This frequent early manifestation reflects the small-vessel dysfunction that also contributes to tissue injury.
Limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis: A systemic sclerosis subtype in which skin thickening is generally confined to the face and areas below the elbows and knees. It contrasts with diffuse disease in skin distribution and patterns of organ risk.
2013 ACR/EULAR systemic sclerosis classification criteria: A weighted set of clinical and laboratory features used to classify systemic sclerosis for research. The criteria combine skin findings, vascular signs, antibodies, and organ involvement.
Localized scleroderma: A group of disorders causing localized patches or bands of hardened skin, usually without systemic organ disease. Unlike systemic sclerosis, localized scleroderma generally does not affect internal organs.
Esophageal dysmotility: Impaired movement of the esophagus that disrupts transport of food toward the stomach. Fibrosis and muscle dysfunction can cause reflux and swallowing problems in systemic sclerosis.
Systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease: Scarring and inflammation of lung tissue occurring as a complication of systemic sclerosis. Fibrosis can extend beyond the skin and impair gas exchange in the lungs.
Diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis: A systemic sclerosis subtype with skin thickening extending above the elbows or knees and often involving the trunk. This subtype has more extensive skin involvement and can progress quickly to internal-organ disease.
Nailfold capillaroscopy: A noninvasive examination of tiny blood vessels at the base of the fingernails. It can reveal characteristic microvascular changes that help assess suspected systemic sclerosis.
Mixed connective tissue disease: An autoimmune disease combining features of lupus, systemic sclerosis, and inflammatory muscle disease, often with anti-U1 RNP antibodies. It can resemble systemic sclerosis while having a distinct antibody profile and overlapping clinical features.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease: A chronic condition in which stomach contents flow back into the esophagus and cause troublesome symptoms or complications. Esophageal dysfunction makes reflux a frequent digestive complication of systemic sclerosis.

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