Understanding scleroderma

Name: Understanding Scleroderma
Keywords: Understanding Scleroderma

Find out what scleroderma is and what diagnosis could mean to you. The more you know and understand, the more of an active part you can play in your monitoring and treatment.

3 min read

Learn more about scleroderma

Scleroderma (also known as systemic sclerosis) is part of a family of rare autoimmune diseases.^1,2 Learn more about scleroderma, how it can affect your body and what the early warning signs are.

What is scleroderma

The facts:

more women than men are affected by scleroderma.³

people worldwide have scleroderma.⁴

people with scleroderma develop skin symptoms.⁵

"Scleroderma challenged me to take the time to enjoy more of every moment."
– Monica

Symptoms of scleroderma

Identifying the symptoms

There are many possible symptoms of scleroderma, so make sure you know what to look out for.

Symptoms of scleroderma

Testing for scleroderma

Diagnosing scleroderma

To diagnose scleroderma, your doctor will perform a number of different tests.

Testing for scleroderma

Adjusting to your diagnosis

Coping with diagnosis

Receiving a diagnosis of scleroderma is often difficult but there are many things you can do.

Adjusting to your diagnosis

Each journey is different

Sometimes it can help to hear how others have managed with scleroderma. Their experiences and triumphs can help you find your own way forward.

Stories

Derrett-Smith E and Denton C. Systemic sclerosis: clinical features and management. Medicine 2010;38(2):109–15.
Varga J and Abraham D. Systemic sclerosis: a prototypic multisystem fibrotic disorder. J Clin Invest 2007;117:557–67.
Peoples C et al. Gender differences in systemic sclerosis: relationship to clinical features, serologic status and outcomes. J Scleroderma Relat Disor. 2016; 1(2): 177–240.
SRUK. Available: https://www.sruk.co.uk/scleroderma/understanding-scleroderma/ [Accessed December 2021].
Jaeger VK et al. Incidences and risk factors of organ manifestations in the early course of systemic sclerosis: a longitudinal EUSTAR study. PLoS One 2016;11(10):e0163894.