Links to Scleroderma

Limited scleroderma

Scleroderma is classified as limited disease based on how far skin thickening occurs in the arms/legs. Scleroderma is considered limited when skin thickening does not go past the elbows or knees. Patients with limited disease are more likely to have certain manifestations such as pulmonary artery hypertension.

Diffuse scleroderma

Scleroderma is classified as diffuse disease based on how far skin thickening occurs in the arms/legs. Scleroderma is considered diffuse when skin thickening does go past the elbows or knees. Patients with diffuse disease are more likely to have certain manifestations such as interstitial lung disease.

Sine scleroderma

Scleroderma is classified as sine scleroderma when there is no skin thickening present, but the patient does have organ involvement. Generally, the patient also has Raynaud’s phenomenon present and antibodies that are seen in other cases of scleroderma.

Interstitial Lung Disease

The lungs are commonly affected in the setting of scleroderma. Patients with interstitial lung disease present with cough and/or shortness of breath due to the different stages of inflammation or scarring in the lung tissue.

Pulmonary artery hypertension

Outside of the lung tissue itself, the artery going to the lung is often involved in scleroderma. This artery has a build up in its pressure, known as pulmonary artery hypertension. This condition can lead to significant shortness of breath over time and impact the heart.