Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease affecting the skin and sometimes internal organs of body. There are two types scleroderma, localized scleroderma or systemic. The most common type in children it scleroderma.

Background: There is no data on the characteristics of patients with localized scleroderma in Iran. Objective: In order to determine the age, sex and type distribution of localized scleroderma in Iran, this study was done on patients referred to Boo-Ali Hospital in Tehran in 1995-1999. Patients and Methods: This study was done as an existing data study on 39 patients with localized scleroderma ...

The etiology of localized scleroderma remains unclear. The objective of this article is to review different theories of etiology, specifically provocative and predisposing factors for the development of localized scleroderma. The mini-review presents the factors, which may influence the occurrence of localized scleroderma. The genetic predisposition for the development of scleroderma is a relev...

BACKGROUND Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) contribute to vascular regeneration/repair and thus may protect against scleroderma vasculopathy. We aimed to determine whether circulating EPCs were reduced in scleroderma, whether scleroderma sera could induce EPC apoptosis, and, if so, what the underlying apoptotic signaling pathway was. METHODS AND RESULTS Circulating EPC levels were quantifi...

OBJECTIVE To determine the frequency of pericardial and pleural effusions in scleroderma. METHODS Using a case-control format, patients with scleroderma and no known cardiac disease were recruited. Echocardiograms and chest radiographs were performed. Age- and gender-matched controls had echocardiograms performed which were read by a cardiologist, blinded to the diagnosis. The medical records...

BACKGROUND Previous studies have suggested an increased risk of cancer among patients with scleroderma. OBJECTIVE To study a population based cohort of patients with scleroderma in South Australia. METHODS Subjects with scleroderma were identified from the South Australian Scleroderma Registry established in 1993. All subjects on the scleroderma registry were linked to the South Australian ...

INTRODUCTION Systemic sclerosis or scleroderma is an autoimmune rheumatic disease characterized by organ-based fibrosis. Renal involvement in scleroderma occurs mainly in the form of scleroderma renal crisis, affecting 5 to 10% of patients. It remains one of the most important and immediately life-threatening complications of scleroderma, but the prognosis improves considerably after treatment ...

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by vascular abnormalities, fi brosis, infl ammatory changes, and late stage tissue atrophy of the skin and several internal organs. In scleroderma-like disorders the distribution/characteristics of skin involvement is different. The skin involvement of the acral regions including digits is usually missing. Lack of Raynaud’s phenomenon, and scleroderma-s...

BACKGROUND Systemic sclerosis, or scleroderma, is a chronic and rare connective tissue disease with negative physical and psychological implications. Sources of emotional distress and the impact they have on the lives of people with scleroderma are not well understood. OBJECTIVES To gain an in-depth understanding of the emotional experiences and sources of emotional distress for women and men...