Scleroderma history and symptoms: Difference between revisions
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Other pulmonary complications in more advanced disease include [[aspiration pneumonia]], [[pulmonary hemorrhage]] and [[pneumothorax]].<ref name=Primer/> | Other pulmonary complications in more advanced disease include [[aspiration pneumonia]], [[pulmonary hemorrhage]] and [[pneumothorax]].<ref name=Primer/> | ||
===Musculoskeletal=== | |||
The first joint symptoms that patients with scleroderma have are typically non specific [[arthralgia|joint pains]], which can lead to [[arthritis]], or cause discomfort in [[tenosynovitis|tendons]] or [[myalgia|muscles]].<ref name=Primer/> Joint mobility, especially of the small joints of the hand, may be restricted by [[calcinosis]] or skin thickening.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Valentini G, Black C |title=Systemic sclerosis |journal=Best practice & research. Clinical rheumatology |volume=16 |issue=5 |pages=807-16 |year=2002 |pmid=12473275 |doi=}}</ref> Patients who have progressed later in their disease may develop muscle weakness, or [[myopathy]], either from the disease, or its treatments.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Olsen NJ, King LE, Park JH |title=Muscle abnormalities in scleroderma |journal=Rheum. Dis. Clin. North Am. |volume=22 |issue=4 |pages=783-96 |year=1996 |pmid=8923596 |doi=}}</ref> | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist|2}} | {{Reflist|2}} | ||
Revision as of 20:18, 30 August 2012
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Symptoms
Skin
- Scleroderma affects the skin, and in more serious cases it can affect the blood vessels and internal organs. The most evident symptom is the hardening of the skin and associated scarring. Typically, the skin appears reddish or scaly. Blood vessels may also be more visible. Where large areas are affected, fat and muscle wastage will weaken limbs and affect appearance.
- The seriousness of the disease varies hugely between cases. The two most important factors to consider are the level of internal involvement (beneath the skin) and the total area covered by the disease. For example, there have been cases where the patient has no more than one or two lesions, perhaps covering a few inches. Less serious cases tend not to involve the internal bodily functions.
- There is discoloration of the hands and feet in response to cold. Most patients (over 80%) have Raynaud's phenomenon, a vascular symptom that can affect the fingers and toes.
- Systemic scleroderma and Raynaud's phenomenon can cause painful ulcers on the fingers or toes which are known as digital ulcers.
- Calcinosis is also common in systemic scleroderma, and is often seen near the elbows, knees or other joints.
Lungs
Some impairment in lung function is almost universally seen in patients with diffuse scleroderma on pulmonary function testing;[1] however, it does not necessarily cause symptoms, such as shortness of breath. Some patients can develop pulmonary hypertension, or elevation in the pressures of the pulmonary arteries. This can be progressive, and lead to right sided heart failure. The earliest manifestation of this may be a decreased diffusion capacity on pulmonary function testing.
Other pulmonary complications in more advanced disease include aspiration pneumonia, pulmonary hemorrhage and pneumothorax.[2]
Musculoskeletal
The first joint symptoms that patients with scleroderma have are typically non specific joint pains, which can lead to arthritis, or cause discomfort in tendons or muscles.[2] Joint mobility, especially of the small joints of the hand, may be restricted by calcinosis or skin thickening.[3] Patients who have progressed later in their disease may develop muscle weakness, or myopathy, either from the disease, or its treatments.[4]
References
- ↑ Steen VD (2005). "The lung in systemic sclerosis". Journal of clinical rheumatology. 11 (1): 40–6. PMID 16357695.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1
- ↑ Valentini G, Black C (2002). "Systemic sclerosis". Best practice & research. Clinical rheumatology. 16 (5): 807–16. PMID 12473275.
- ↑ Olsen NJ, King LE, Park JH (1996). "Muscle abnormalities in scleroderma". Rheum. Dis. Clin. North Am. 22 (4): 783–96. PMID 8923596.