Systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis is a complex autoimmune connective tissue disease which carries a significant burden of disease-related morbidity including potentially life-threatening complications. Systemic sclerosis can affect all the major organs and therefore, although the disease is uncommon, many hospital-based specialists are involved in patient care. Vascular disease (e.g. Raynaud's phenomenon) is an almost universal symptom in patients with systemic sclerosis and is often the earliest manifestation of the disease. Systemic sclerosis not uncommonly can overlap with other rheumatological conditions (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis and myositis). During the past few decades there have been major advances in understanding the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis and these are driving advances in treatment. There are now a number of effective treatments to manage many of the different organ-based complications. Autologous haemopoietic stem cell transplantation is a potential treatment option in highly selected patients. This review updates the clinician about epidemiology, pathogenesis, differential diagnosis, the wide clinical spectrum of disease, and current and emerging treatments for systemic sclerosis.