Scleroderma, more correctly known as systemic sclerosis, is a relatively uncommon disease with a variable clinical presentation and course. In its most aggressive form it may lead to serious organ damage and eventually be fatal, and therefore early diagnosis and management is essential.

The most common early symptom is new onset cold sensitivity in the fingers with white and blue colour changes called "Raynaud's phenomenon". AlthoughRaynaud's phenomenonitself is fairly common in the community , the onset later in life with associated puffy fingers and / or other physical symptoms such as fatigue, difficulty swallowing , bloated stomach, painful joints and muscles etc stongly suggests an early scleroderma or related disease and must be further evaluated by an expert. Some simple blood tests and a non invasive examination fo the small blood vessels under the finger nails called "capillaroscopy", may confirm the diagnosis. In addition, some vital organs such as the heart and lungs may be involved with no subjective symptoms, underlining the need for early expert assessment. Because many different organs may be involved, you as a patient may be treated by different doctors sich as rheumatologists, dermatologists, respiratory medicine specialists, cardiologists, gastroenterologistsand so on.

Scleroderma belongs to the family of disorders known as "autoimmune disease" in which the immune system, normally there to protect you from invading bacteria and other microbes, turns on itself and starts to attack your own structures. The treatment is partly  based on drugs which  dampen down the immune system , called "immunosuppressants" , but not all features of scleroderma require or respond to such treatment and a fine balance needs to be found.

Although no "cure" for scleroderma exists, many of the dangerous or annoying features of the disease may be better controlled now than in  past decades and improve life quality and quantity. The best example is the use of the so called ACE inhibitors to control the blood pressure and avoid serious kidney damage.

The World Scleroderma Foundation is dedicated to combating scleroderma through patient oriented research  and providing a platform for a positive interaction between patients, physicians, industry, government and any person or organisation involved with this disease. The WSF also hosts the World Scleroderma Congress, a biennial event mainly directed to clinical and applied research aspects of scleroderma and involving experts and patents. Please feel free to join us.