Table of Contents
- Overview
- Symptoms
- Treatment
- Prevention
- Images
Scleroderma is a widespread connective tissue disease that involves changes in the skin, blood vessels, muscles, and internal organs.
Alternative Names
CREST syndrome; Limited scleroderma; Progressive systemic sclerosis; Systemic sclerosis; Localized scleroderma; Morphea, linear
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
The cause of scleroderma is unknown. People with this condition have a buildup of a substance called collagen in the skin and other organs. This buildup leads to the symptoms of the disease.
The disease usually affects people 30 to 50 years old. Women get scleroderma more often than men do. Risk factors include work exposure to silica dust and polyvinyl chloride.
Diffuse scleroderma can overlap with other autoimmune diseases, including
Review Date: 02/07/2010
Reviewed By: Mark James Borigini, MD, Rheumatologist in the Washington, DC Metro
area. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed
by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
