Fibrosing Disorders Flashcards
Most frequent symptoms of systemic sclersosis
- Reynaud’s phenomenon
- GERD (with or without dysmotility)
- Skin changes
- Puffy/swolen digits
- Arthralgia
Patients with Raynaud phenomenon and features atypical for primary Raynaud phenomenon should . . .
Patients with Raynaud phenomenon and features atypical for primary Raynaud phenomenon should be evaluated for the possibility of scleroderma or another connective tissue disease
___ makes diagnosis of scleroderma unlikely
Negative antinuclear antibody titers makes diagnosis of scleroderma unlikely
Many patients with limited scleroderma have few ___.
Many patients with limited scleroderma have few observable cutaneous manifestations.
Systemic sclerosis or scleroderma
- Names interchangable
- Chronic multisystem autoimmune disease resulting in excessive fibrosis
- Skin features include skin thickening proximal to MCPs, sclerodactyly, digital pitting, Reynaud’s phenomenon, and telangectasias
- Systemic features include lung fibrosis, joint disease, GI disease (esp. GERD), heart disease, kidney disease, and peripheral circulation loss
- Early symptoms include weight loss, musculoskeletal discomfort, fatigue, GERD heartburn, and new onset cold sensitivity or Reynaud’s
Early scleroderma inflammation often manifests as. . .
. . . edema, erythema, and pruritis in the hands
___ leads to excessive skin tightening in scleroderma.
Excessive deposition and crosslinking of collagen leads to excessive skin tightening in scleroderma.
Dry, thickened patches of skin in sclerodermic patients will ___ in 30 to 50% of scleroderma patients.
Dry, thickened patches of skin in sclerodermic patients will ulcer in 30 to 50% of scleroderma patients.
Involvement of the ___ is ubiquitous among patients with scleroderma
Involvement of the vasculature is ubiquitous among patients with scleroderma
Excessive connective tissue thickening and tightening causes ischemia by. . .
. . . physically squeezing and blocking off arteries.
Scleroderma-induced kidney ischemia is referred to as. . .
scleroderma renal crisis
____ is the first manifestation of scleroderma in almost every patient.
Raynaud phenomenon is the first manifestation of scleroderma in almost every patient.
Raynaud phenomenon
Stress and cold temperature induce an exaggerated vasoconstriction of the small arteries, arterioles, and arteriovenous shunts or thermoregulatory vessels of the skin of the digits. This is manifested clinically as pallor and cyanosis of the digits, followed by a reactive hyperemia after rewarming.
Unlike episodes of uncomplicated primary Raynaud phenomenon, attacks of Raynaud phenomenon in patients with scleroderma are often painful and may lead to digital ulcerations, gangrene, or amputation.
Predictive factors for autoimmune disease in patients with Raynaud’s phenomenon
- ANAs
- Abnormal nailfold capillaries (also in dermatomyositis)
- Cases where Raynaud’s is associated with severe pain and vasospasm or signs of tissue damage
Specificity and sensitivity for ANA in scleroderma
- Very sensitive
- Not entirely specific (could be several other rheumatic diseases)

- Facial characteristics of scleroderma. Note:
- The tightening of the skin, especially around the mouth
- Microstomia (small mouth)
- Telangiectasias
Lung disease in scleroderma
- Two major presentations:
- inflammatory alveolitis leading to interstitial fibrosis (present w/ dry cough)
- pulmonary vascular disease leading to pulmonary arterial hypertension (present with severe dizziness or fatigue)
- May occur independently or concomitantly
- Both types usually presents as dyspnea on exertion but can be asymptomatic early in the course of the lung disease
GI concerns of scleroderma patients
- sensation of food getting stuck in the mid or lower esophagus
- atypical chest pain
- cough
- heartburn
- must drink liquids to swallow solid dry food
- constipation alternating with diarrhea
gastroparesis
Dysmotility of the esophagus and stomach caused by atrophy of the gastrointestinal tract wall smooth muscle that occurs with or without pathologic evidence of significant tissue fibrosis or obvious vascular insult to the bowel.
Symptoms are reflux and dysphagia, and constipation alternating with diarrhea
Lower bowel dysmotility
slows the movement of bowel contents severely, allowing bacterial overgrowth, diarrhea, and malabsorption
Renal involvement in scleroderma
Occurs in only 5% of patients, but life threatening when it does occur.
Characterized by the sudden onset of very severe (malignant) hypertension that, if untreated, can lead rapidly to renal failure and death
Cardiac involvement in scleroderma
Frequently demonstrated by objective testing (e.g., echocardiography, thallium scan, cardiac MRI, or electrocardiogram) but is usually subclinical in the early stages of disease
Chest pain from pericarditis, palpitations from arrhythmias, or dyspnea on exertion from heart failure.
___ is a common psychological comorbidity of scleroderma.
Depression is a common psychological comorbidity of scleroderma.
Likely reflects secondary factors such as degree of pain, personality traits, and lack of good social support systems
Laboratory testing for scleroderma
- There is no single laboratory study to confirm diagnosis
- History and physical exam very important
- Autoantibodies by IF found in 95% of patients, especially ANA
- Anti-centromere antibodies associated with limited skin involvement, but more severe digital ischemia and pulmonary arterial hypertension
- Anti-Scl-70 antibodies associated with diffuse skin disease and interstitial lung disease
- Anti-RNA Pol III associated with diffuse skin disease, scleroderma renal crisis, digital ulcers, and malignancy





