A rare, chronic connective tissue disorder characterized by the overproduction of certain proteins that cause plaques to form on the face, hands, and other areas of the body. These include morphea, which is a form of localized scleroderma; polymyositis, an inflammatory disorder of the skeletal muscles; polymyalgia rheumatica, an inflammatory disorder of the muscles and joints; Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disorder causing dry eyes and dry mouth; Raynaud’s phenomenon, associated with decreased blood flow to fingers and toes upon exposure to extreme temperatures; dermatomyositis, an inflammatory disorder of the muscles and skin; systemic lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disorder that affects the entire body; rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disorder causing swollen, painful joints; and mixed connective tissue disorder, an overlap of symptoms of various connective tissue diseases.
Additionally, cancer and radiation therapy can cause skin thickening that is similar to scleroderma. It is important to discuss any suspicious symptoms with a doctor to ensure an accurate diagnosis.
Table of Contents
What can be misdiagnosed as scleroderma?
Scleroderma is a medical condition where the body produces too much collagen, causing the skin, blood vessels, and internal organs to become hardened. Often, due to its wide-ranging effects and similarities to other medical conditions, it can be misdiagnosed.
Common conditions that are mistakenly identified as scleroderma include:
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): Although SLE shares some similar signs and symptoms with scleroderma, the two conditions have different causes and can be distinguished based on autoantibody tests.
• Systemic sclerosis: This is the correct name for scleroderma, but due to its similarity to other conditions, it can be misdiagnosed.
• Raynaud’s phenomenon: This condition is characterized by skin discoloration and constriction of the blood vessels in the extremities, but is not caused by the same mechanism as scleroderma.
• Eosinophilic fasciitis: This is a rare condition that causes thickening of the skin and can be misdiagnosed as scleroderma if not properly evaluated.
• Sjogren’s syndrome: This is an autoimmune disorder that presents with dry eyes and dry mouth, but does not cause the same tissue changes that scleroderma does.
• Dermatomyositis: This is an inflammatory condition that can cause a rash and muscle weakness and is often mistaken for scleroderma.
In addition, many other medical conditions or injuries may be misdiagnosed as scleroderma if proper medical tests and evaluation are not conducted. It is important to make sure to get a proper and complete evaluation from a health care provider to ensure an accurate diagnosis is made.
What is the confirmatory test for scleroderma?
The confirmatory test for scleroderma is an antinuclear antibody (ANA) test, which looks for abnormal proteins called autoantibodies in your blood. ANA testing is used to help diagnose autoimmune connective tissue diseases, including scleroderma.
In addition to an ANA test, other tests used to confirm a diagnosis of scleroderma may include radiographs, capillaroscopy, biomarkers, and more.
Radiographs, such as X-rays, can help to assess bone, joint, and ligament involvement, which are common in scleroderma. Capillaroscopy is an examination of the small blood vessels in your skin, which can help diagnose or rule out scleroderma-related tissue damage and guide treatment choices.
Biomarkers are blood tests that explore the presence of specific proteins and antibodies associated with the disease. Examples of biomarkers that are used in scleroderma include urinalysis and liver function tests.
In addition to the tests mentioned above, doctors may also conduct complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and chest x-rays to diagnose scleroderma. A skin biopsy, which involves taking a small tissue sample from the skin in the affected area, may also be done, if needed.
Your doctor may order a combination of the tests mentioned above to make a definitive diagnosis of scleroderma. It is important to note that no single test can provide a conclusive diagnosis; all these tests taken together can help confirm a diagnosis of scleroderma.
How do you rule out systemic sclerosis?
Systemic sclerosis is a complex disorder that can be difficult to diagnose. To rule out systemic sclerosis, a doctor may order several tests, including skin biopsies, blood tests, and imaging tests. A skin biopsy involves taking a small sample of skin to analyze for thickening and tissue damage.
Blood tests measure for autoantibodies that can be present in people with autoimmune rheumatic diseases, including systemic sclerosis. Imaging tests such as X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, and MRI scans can help to detect organ and soft tissue damage caused by systemic sclerosis.
Additionally, some doctors may perform a lung function test to measure how much air the lungs can hold and how well the lungs can move oxygen into the bloodstream. Ultimately, if a doctor suspects systemic sclerosis, they may diagnose it after assessing a patient’s medical history, determining if they have experienced any symptoms of the disorder, and conducting any necessary lab tests or imaging.
What labs are elevated in scleroderma?
Scleroderma, also known as systemic sclerosis, is an autoimmune disease that causes hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues. It can affect different organs in the body, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, esophagus, and gastrointestinal tract.
Common laboratory tests used in the diagnosis and assessment of scleroderma include blood tests, urine tests, and imaging studies.
Common blood tests used to assess scleroderma include:
• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR): This test is typically elevated in inflammatory conditions such as scleroderma.
• C-reactive protein (CRP): This test is used to detect inflammation in the body and is usually high in scleroderma.
• Antinuclear antibodies (ANA): This test detects the presence of an abnormal type of antibody in the blood, which is a sign of an autoimmune disorder such as scleroderma.
• Rheumatoid factor (RF): This test is used to diagnose rheumatic diseases, including scleroderma.
• Creatinine: This is a measure of kidney function and can be elevated in scleroderma if kidney involvement is present.
• Liver function tests: These tests check for hepatitis or liver cirrhosis, which can be seen in scleroderma.
• Anti-double-stranded DNA (dsDNA): This test is used to measure the amount of dsDNA antibodies in the blood, which can be increased in scleroderma.
Urine tests used to assess scleroderma include tests for red blood cells, protein, and/or creatinine. Imaging studies such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs may be used to evaluate for pulmonary involvement or other organ involvement in scleroderma.
What is the hallmark of systemic sclerosis?
The hallmark of systemic sclerosis (also known as scleroderma) is the accumulation of excessive amounts of collagen, fibroblasts, and immune cells in the walls of blood vessels, skin, and other organs.
This leads to thickening and scarring of the affected organs or tissues. This can cause a range of health problems and can make it difficult for the affected person to do everyday activities. Common symptoms of systemic sclerosis include: Raynaud’s phenomenon (a condition that causes the fingers and toes to turn white or blue in response to cold temperatures or stress); joint pain and stiffness; digestive problems; fatigue; memory and concentration difficulties; speech problems; and tightness in the skin and muscles.
People with systemic sclerosis can also experience organ damage, such as heart, lung, or kidney problems. The exact cause of systemic sclerosis is unknown, but some experts believe it is an autoimmune disorder that results from an overactive immune system.
Treatment of systemic sclerosis may include medication to reduce inflammation, physical therapy to help with mobility and reduce fatigue, occupational therapy to adjust activities of daily living, and lifestyle changes to limit stress.
How is systemic scleroderma diagnosed?
Systemic scleroderma is a condition that involves changes in the connective tissue of the skin and other organs. Diagnosis of systemic scleroderma involves a thorough physical examination, a review of your medical history, and any relevant laboratory tests.
During your physical examination, your doctor may look for skin changes characteristic of systemic scleroderma, such as hard, tight, shiny skin on the extremities. They may also check for changes in your fingerprints and nail fold capillaries.
Additionally, your doctor may listen to your lungs and check your pulse with a stethoscope.
Your doctor will also review your medical history and ask about any other symptoms you may be experiencing. Common symptoms of systemic scleroderma include fatigue, joint pain and swelling, fingernail changes, skin discoloration, numbness in the hands and feet, and gastrointestinal problems.
Finally, your doctor may order several lab tests to confirm the diagnosis. These tests may include a complete blood count (CBC) with sedimentation rate, an antinuclear antibody (ANA) test, and a creative enzyme test.
X-rays or ultrasound may also be used to check for changes to the heart, lungs, and kidneys. Once diagnosis is confirmed, your doctor will develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
How do I know if I have systemic scleroderma?
The best way to know for sure if you have systemic scleroderma is to visit a healthcare professional as soon as possible. They will be able to assess your symptoms, review your medical history, and may even perform diagnostic tests to confirm the presence of systemic scleroderma.
Symptoms of systemic scleroderma include thickening and hardening of the skin, swollen fingers, joint pain and stiffness, Raynaud’s phenomenon, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and gastrointestinal symptoms.
If these symptoms last for an extended period of time, it is important to speak to a healthcare provider to discuss tests and treatments. Diagnostic tests that may be used to help diagnose systemic scleroderma include blood tests, scans, biopsies, and x-rays.
It is important to speak to a doctor for a diagnosis, as systemic scleroderma can be serious if left untreated, and the sooner a diagnosis is made the better chance of successful treatment there is.
Which examination is used for early diagnosis of systemic sclerosis?
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disorder that affects the skin primarily and various internal organs. Early diagnosis of the condition is crucial for providing timely treatment and improving the prognosis.
However, the gold standard examination for early diagnosis of systemic sclerosis is nailfold capillaroscopy.
Nailfold capillaroscopy is a non-invasive procedure that is used to examine the capillaries under the nails in order to detect any disturbance in their normal structure. This technique is especially useful in detecting the early signs of SSc, which include changes in the capillaries, such as dilatation and/or loop formation.
During the procedure, a small microscope is placed on the nail to capture a clear image of the capillary changes.
In addition to nailfold capillaroscopy, other potential examinations for early diagnosis of systemic sclerosis include a full blood count, X-rays, CT scans and MRI scans. Different types of auto-antibody tests may also be used to detect biomarkers characteristic of SSc, but their accuracy is still being debated.
Finally, a biopsy of the skin or other organs may be performed in order to confirm a systemic sclerosis diagnosis.
What is the difference between scleroderma and scleromyxedema?
Scleroderma and scleromyxedema are both collagen vascular disorders, but they have a few key differences.
Scleroderma is a systemic autoimmune disorder typically characterized by thickening, hardening and tightening of the skin. It can also cause inflammation, damage and scarring to organs, including the lungs, heart, kidney and gastrointestinal tract.
Symptoms can range from mild to severe, but common signs include skin thickening, Raynaud’s phenomenon (colored patches on the hands), digital ulcers (cuts or sores on the fingers), chest tightness, joint pain, difficulty swallowing, dry eyes and fatigue.
Scleromyxedema is a rare skin disorder that tends to be linked to scleroderma. It is characterized by an unusual, scaly and itchy skin rash on the back, chest and arms. Other symptoms may include joint pain, muscle pain, depression and appetite loss.
People with scleromyxedema may also have mucin deposits in the skin and an accumulation of lymphatic fluids in the soft tissues.
In summary, the main difference between scleroderma and scleromyxedema is that scleroderma is an autoimmune disorder that affects the skin, organs and joints, while scleromyxedema is a rare skin disorder characterized by a distinctive skin rash and other symptoms.
What is scleromyxedema?
Scleromyxedema is a rare skin disorder characterized by thickening, rough scaling and nodules of the skin on the arms, legs, posterior neck and upper trunk. It is also associated with other systemic symptoms such as organomegaly (enlarged organs), joint pain and restriction, depression, and weakness of the eyelids and mouth.
In addition, the facial features may become oedematous.
The cause of scleromyxedema is unknown. It is currently considered to be an autoimmune disorder with IgG, IgM, and complement abnormalities present in the skin. Treatment is usually supportive with topical therapies, although some patients may require systemic immunosuppressants such as corticosteroids or cyclophosphamide.
Patients are also advised to minimize exposure to sunlight, keep the skin moisturized, and maintain a healthy diet and exercise regimen.
Scleromyxedema is an unpredictable disease, however, and its course is highly individualized. It is important to obtain early diagnosis and treatment from a qualified healthcare provider in order to control the symptoms and prevent progression of the disorder.
How do you get rid of scleroderma?
Unfortunately, there is no known cure for scleroderma. However, treatments can be used to help improve symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. Treatment methods can include lifestyle changes, physical therapy, and medications to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct the appearance of hardened skin and reduce pain or skin discomfort. Additional treatment options may include radiation therapy for joint and skin lesions, biologic medications to reduce inflammation, or injections of materials such as steroids or other substances to reduce pain in areas that are not getting relief from other treatments.
If necessary, there are also various treatments to help manage any associated organ involvement and its complications.
Does scleroderma ever go away?
No, scleroderma is a chronic, progressive condition which means it is not a curable condition and will not go away on its own. Scleroderma is a chronic autoimmune disorder of the connective tissue that affects the skin, muscles, and blood vessels.
People with scleroderma suffer from hardening and tightening of the skin and other connective tissue, which leads to scarring and damage to major organs, like the lungs, heart, and kidneys. While the condition cannot be cured, there are treatments available to improve the quality of life and manage the symptoms.
These treatments include physical therapy, occupational therapy, medications for pain relief and inflammation, anti-inflammatory drugs and immunosuppressants. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to treat certain effects of scleroderma such as joint contractures or gastrointestinal problems.
The outlook for people with scleroderma depends on the severity and type of scleroderma. Most people can live normal and productive lives with regular treatment and management of their disease.
