Is scleroderma and systemic sclerosis the same?
Scleroderma (sklair-oh-DUR-muh), also known as systemic sclerosis, is a group of rare diseases that involve the hardening and tightening of the skin. It may also cause problems in the blood vessels, internal organs and digestive tract.
What laboratory indicator is specific for diffuse form of systemic sclerosis?
Anti–Scl-70 antibodies are considered a specific marker for the diffuse type of systemic sclerosis. However, these autoantibodies can be seen in SLE, ranging from 0% to 25% of patients with a mean of 4.1%.
What is the difference between multiple sclerosis and systemic sclerosis?
Both MS and SS are autoimmune diseases. Whereas MS impacts only the central nervous system (CNS), SS can impact multiple organs and organ systems throughout the body. There are two types of SS: localized cutaneous SS, affecting only the skin, and diffuse SS, affecting both the skin and organs.
What tests confirm systemic sclerosis?
Systemic sclerosis is diagnosed based on the presence of various symptoms above and physical examination findings. The diagnosis can be confirmed by the presence of certain autoantibodies in the blood as well as radiographic studies. Particularly, the ANA, or the antinuclear antibody test, is positive, but not always.
What virus causes scleroderma?
One theory suggests that scleroderma is caused by a virus or other infection. For example, a common virus called CMV (cytomegalovirus) is known to infect cells (endothelial cells) that line our blood vessels, which we know are diseased in scleroderma (3).
What blood work shows scleroderma?
Antinuclear antibody (ANA) testing is the most important blood test to screen for scleroderma and other connective tissue diseases.
Can you live a normal life with systemic scleroderma?
Some patients with systemic sclerosis never develop severe involvement of their internal organs and live relatively normal lives. The skin involvement tends to get better on its own over years. The skin will soften and become more flexible.
How serious is systemic scleroderma?
Not only can it affect the skin, but it also can affect many internal organs, hindering digestive and respiratory functions, and causing kidney failure. Systemic scleroderma can sometimes become serious and life-threatening.