| Associated Conditions: MAIN MENU |
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| ASSOCIATED CONDITIONS: MAIN MENU |
| It is common for people with scleroderma to also have other health problems, and here are a few items often associated with it. Just because something is listed here does not mean an individual patient will ever experience it. See Disclaimer. |
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| Anemia of Chronic Disease |
| Anemia of Chronic Disease. Anemia refers to a deficiency in the blood. Anemia most commonly refers to insufficient iron resulting in a shortage of hemoglobin, but the term is also used to indicate vitamin deficiency or blood loss. Anemia can range from mild and temporary to severe and life-threatening. When the anemia is caused by a chronic illness, it is called "anemia of chronic disease." ISN. |
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| Antiphospholipid Syndrome |
| Antiphospholipid Syndrome Symptoms include deep vein thrombosis, chronic leg ulcers, recurrent miscarriages, headache, heart attacks, renal vein and artery thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and pulmonary hypertension. It is identified by the presence of anticardiolipin antibodies, in a blood test. The same antibodies have been associated with generalized morphea scleroderma. ISN. |
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| Ankylosing Spondylitis |
| Ankylosing Spondylitis. Ankylosing spondylitis is one of many forms of inflammatory arthritis, the most common of which is rheumatoid arthritis. Ankylosing spondylitis primarily causes inflammation of the joints between the vertebrae of your spine and the joints between your spine and pelvis (sacroiliac joints). Mayo Clinic. |
| Etanercept in the Longterm Treatment of Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis. For 2 years, etanercept was clinically effective and well tolerated, with no unexpected safety findings. B. Dijkmans. J. Rheum. April 2009, 36 (4). |
| Spinal fractures in patients with ankylosing spinal disorders: a systematic review of the literature on treatment, neurological status and complications. This review suggests that the clinical outcome of patients with fractures in previously ankylosed spines, due to ankylosing spondylitis or diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, is considerably worse compared to the general trauma population. (SpringerLink) L. A. Westerveld. European Spine Journal. September 13, 2008. |
| The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. The prevalence of OSAS in AS patients is higher than reported in the general population. O.Salak. Rheumatology. February 17, 2009. (Also see: Sleep Apnea) |
Fertility and Reproduction in Male Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) Treated with Infliximab. We identified 4 patients with AS who had fathered 6 healthy children during infliximab treatment. Our cases provide some evidence or reassurance for male patients treated with the anti-tumor necrosis factor-α agent. S. Paschou. J Rheumatol First Release. Dec 1 2008. (Also see: Infliximab and Male Infertility) |
| Efficacy and safety of infliximab in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) over a two-year period. Infliximab demonstrated sustained efficacy and safety over 2 years in this large cohort of patients with active AS. (PubMed) Braun J. Arthritis Rheum. 2008 Sep. 15. |
| Adalimumab Reduces Pain, Fatigue, and Stiffness in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis(AS): Results from the Adalimumab Trial Evaluating Long-Term Safety and Efficacy for Ankylosing Spondylitis. Adalimumab significantly improved symptoms of pain, fatigue, and stiffness in patients with AS. J Rheumatol First Release May 15 2008. |
| Arthritis |
| Arthritis. Scleroderma is classified as an arthritic disease, along with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, dermatomyositis, and more than 100 other medical conditions. ISN. |
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| Asthma |
| Asthma is a chronic lung disease where inflammation causes your airways to narrow. Even though asthma is not considered an autoimmune disease, it is a chronic illness which requires the same attention as any other chronic illness. If you have asthma and an autoimmune disease, it is important to keep both under control to prevent one disease from affecting the other. ISN |
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| Autoimmune Ear Disease |
| Autoimmune Ear Disease Scleroderma can affect every part of the body, including the ears. Many autoimmune diseases can cause Autoimmune Ear Disease. ISN. |
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| Autoimmunity |
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| Behcet's |
| Behcet's disease is an autoimmune disease that causes mouth sores, genital sores, inflammation inside of the eye, skin problems, and arthritis. ISN. |
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| Cancer |
| Scleroderma and Cancer. Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) may be associated with an increased incidence of cancer, including breast cancer, B-cell lymphoma, lung cancer and tongue cancer. ISN. |
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| Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity |
| Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity. Celiac disease is a known cause of scleroderma and dozens of other autoimmune diseases, including Hashimoto's thyroiditis, psoriasis, and Sjogren's syndrome. ISN. |
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| Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) |
| Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms, diagnostic criteria, treatments and research for CFS and Fibromyalgia. ISN. |
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| Depression |
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| Dermatology (General) |
| Dermatology a great site. DermWeb. |
| Dermatology Pictures / Skin Disease Pictures. Hardin MD. |
| Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases Karolinska Institutet, Sweden. |
| Dermatomyositis and Polymyositis |
| Dermatomyositis and Polymyositis. Polymyositis is an inflammatory condition of the muscles ; dermatomyositis is an inflammatory condition of the skin and muscles, which causes a distinctive rash. ISN. |
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| Diabetes |
| Diabetes. Topics include symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatments, research, personal stories and media stories about diabetes. ISN. |
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| Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) |
| Ehlers-Danlos syndromes and Marfan syndrome. Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) and Marfan syndrome (MFS) are multisystemic disorders that primarily affect the soft connective tissues. (ScienceDirect) Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology Vol 22, Issue 1, March 2008, Pp 165-189. (Also see: MFS) |
| Endometriosis |
| Surgical Treatment of Endometriosis: A 7-Year Follow-up on the Requirement for Further Surgery. Local excision of endometriosis is associated with good short-term outcomes but, on long-term follow-up, has a high reoperation rate. (PubMed) Shakiba K. Obstet Gynecol. 2008 Jun;111(6):1285-92. |
| Pathogenesis of endometriosis: natural immunity dysfunction or autoimmune disease? Recently, endometriosis has also been considered to be an autoimmune disease, owing to the presence of autoantibodies, the association with other autoimmune diseases and recurrent immune-mediated abortion. These findings are in apparent contradiction with the reduced cell-mediated natural immunity observed during the disease. PubMed. Trends Mol Med 2003 May;9(5):223-228. |
| March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. Endometriosis is a painful reproductive and immunological disease in which uterine lining migrates outside the uterus, implants in other areas of the body and abnormally grows. eMediaWire 03/03/05. |
| Endometriosis Patient Stories |
| Dawn M: Linear/Systemic Scleroderma My family
and I were informed by the doctors, that the localized/linear form of scleroderma that I was diagnosed with, would never progress into the
potentially fatal, systemic form... |
| Krisha S: Multiple Autoimmune Condition I have endometriosis, multiple sclerosis (MS), fibromyalgia, and Stiff Person Syndrome... |
| Kym: Diffuse, CREST Scleroderma, Lupus and Fibromyalgia It all started with Raynaud's in my fingers and toes when I was about nineteen years old, in 1979... |
| Nina: Fibromyalgia, Raynaud's, Limited Scleroderma/CREST That is when I found ISN! The volume of reliable, informative, trusted information that I found on this site completely overwhelmed me... |
| Rachelle: Endometriosis and Interstitial Cystitis I am just happy after two and a half years to know that I have a real answer and I can get better... |
| Star S: Morphea and Systemic Scleroderma I was diagnosed with morphea at age seven. Now at age thirty-three, I have recently developed systemic scleroderma with gastrointestinal manifestations, Sjogren's syndrome, inflammatory arthritis, malabsorption... |
| Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome |
| Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms, diagnostic criteria, treatments and research for CFS and Fibromyalgia. ISN. |
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| Guillain-Barre Syndrome |
| Home Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy Safe in Patients With Neuroimmunological Disorders. Intravenous (IV) immunoglobulin therapy has a favourable safety profile for patients with neuroimmunological disorders such as Guillain-Barré Syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, myasthaenia gravis, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, and multifocal motor neuropathy. Doctor's Guide Channel. 04/18/08. (Also see: IVIg and Dermatomyositis/Polymyositis) |
| Donna Jackson Nakazawa: Autoimmune diseases hazards. My paralysis was caused by Guillain-Barre syndrome, in which body's immune system destroys the nerves' myelin sheaths, short-circuiting messages from the brain to the muscles. Opinion. The Sacramento Bee. 03/19/08. |
| Do Bacteria or Viruses Cause MS? Though it hasn't been clear as to the cause of this immune system miscue, a new study from Switzerland suggests that a certain bacterium or virus may be the culprit. These bacterial infections, the Swiss study team claims, induce a kind of self-recognition that may contribute to some autoimmune diseases such as MS and Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). MS Neighborhood. 07/08/05. (Also see: Multiple Sclerosis) |
| Idiopathic Thromocytopenic Purpura |
| Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is an autoimmune disease in which macrophages of reticuloendothelial system, mainly in the spleen, remove platelets covered by autoantibodies from circulation. By removing the spleen 60-80% of patients are cured. Partial remission is achieved in 10-20% cases. PubMed. Acta Chir Iugosl 2002;49(3):41-3. |
| Interstitial Cystitis |
| Interstitial Cystitis (bladder involvement) ISN. |
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| Leukemia |
| It is rare, but scleroderma has been associated with Large Granular Lymphocyte Leukemia. Medscape. |
| Marfan Syndrome (MFS) |
| What is Marfan Syndrome? It is a heritable condition that affects the connective tissue. It can affect many body systems, including the skeleton, eyes, heart and blood vessels, nervous system, skin and lungs. National Marfan Foundation. |
| Marfan Syndrome Pictures. Hardin MD. |
| Ehlers-Danlos syndromes and Marfan syndrome. Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) and Marfan syndrome (MFS) are multisystemic disorders that primarily affect the soft connective tissues. (ScienceDirect) Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology Vol 22, Issue 1, March 2008, Pp 165-189. (Also see: EDS) |
| Mixed Connective Tissue Disease |
| Scleroderma in Overlap Scleroderma can occur in overlap with other autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, dermatomyositis or polymyosits, and rheumatoid arthritis. ISN. |
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| Multiple Sclerosis |
| Multiple Sclerosis Topics include symptoms, overlap, treatments, research, support organizations, personal stories and media stories about MS. ISN. |
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| Myasthenia Gravis (MG) |
| Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular autoimmune disease that is sometimes associated with scleroderma or other autoimmune diseases. ISN. |
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| Narcolepsy |
| Researcher IDs Narcolepsy as Autoimmune Disease. Stanford University researchers say they have determined that the sleep disorder narcolepsy is actually an autoimmune disease. (HealthDay News) MedicineNet.com .05/04/09. (Also see: Sleep and Illness) |
| Neuromuscular Diseases |
| Neuromuscular diseases that may be associated with scleroderma include polymyositis, dermatomyositis, and inclusion body myositis. (Also see: Overlap Syndrome). ISN. |
| Pancreatitis, Autoimmune |
| Onset of Exocrine and Endocrine Insufficiency in the Follow Up of Patients Suffering From Autoimmune Pancreatitis (AIP). This study indicates the inflammatory process in AIP is chronic, with a progressive destruction of pancreatic parenchyma, even in the absence of clinical signs and symptoms. Frulloni, L. Pancreas. November 2008. |
| Autoimmune Pancreatitis (AIP): Expression and Cellular Source of Profibrotic Cytokines and Their Receptors. Our data indicate that in AIP the occurrence of myofibroblasts is intimately related to the presence of macrophages and lymphoplasmacytic cells. These cells and adjacent epithelial cells express profibrotic cytokines and their receptors, which are probably responsible for the initiation and maintenance of the fibrogenic process. Detlefsen, Sonke MD. American Journal of Surgical Pathology. July 2008. |
| Pancytopenia |
| Pancytopenia is a medical condition in which there is a reduction in the number of red and white blood cells, as well as platelets. Wikipedia. |
| Methotrexate-induced pancytopenia more common than expected. Virtual Rheumatology Centre, 08/06/05. |
| A case of Behcet's disease with esophageal ulcers complicated with systemic sclerosis, chronic hepatitis C, and pancytopenia. This is a rare case of Behcet's disease complicated with esophageal ulcers, systemic sclerosis, chronic hepatitis C, and pancytopenia. Of interest is the mechanism of coincidence of these diseases from the pathological point of view. PubMed. Nihon Rinsho Meneki Gakkai Kaishi. 2004 Jun;27(3):164-70. (Also see: Behcet's and Liver Involvement) |
| A case of scleroderma with pancytopenia due to lack of trace elements. As patients with scleroderma sometimes develop gastrointestinal problems and are needed intravenous nutrition of long duration, they should be paid attention to lack of trace elements that can be a cause of hematologic complications. PubMed. Ryumachi 2002 Dec;42(6):903-9. (Also see: Gastrointestinal Involvement) |
| Polyarteritis Nodosa (PAN) |
| Postirradiation morphea and subcutaneous polyarteritis nodosa: Case report and literature review. Postirradiation morphea is an uncommon condition but is being increasingly recognized. Radiation may be responsible for inducing some of the pathogenic changes seen in scleroderma and other autoimmune diseases. PubMed. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2005 Apr;34(5):728-34. (Also see: Causes of Morphea and Causes of Scleroderma: Radiation) |
| Polymyositis |
| Dermatomyositis and Polymyositis. Polymyositis is very similar to dermatomyositis but without the rash. It causes inflammation and weakness of muscles and is sometimes associated with systemic scleroderma. ISN. (Also see: Types of Scleroderma and Overlap Syndrome) |
| Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis |
| Psoriasis Health Center. WebMD. |
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| Rheumatoid Arthritis |
| Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that primarily affects the joints. However, it may also cause anemia, eye inflammation, heart attacks, heart failure, myocarditis, pericarditis, pleurisy, vasculitis, shortness of breath, skin ulcers, stomach ulcers, strokes, and neuropathies (numbness and tingling). ISN. |
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| Sarcoidosis, Sarcoiditis |
| What is Sarcoidosis? Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that affects multiple organs in the body, but mostly the lungs and lymph glands. In patients with sarcoidosis, abnormal masses or nodules (called granulomas) consisting of inflamed tissues form in certain organs of the body. Cleveland Clinic. |
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| Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) |
| Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that can cause a multitude of symptoms. Lupus can occur in overlap with scleroderma and other autoimmune diseases. Scleroderma is also frequently misdiagnosed as lupus in its initial stages. ISN. |
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| Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) |
| B-Cell Depletion for Autoimmune Thrombocytopenia (AIT) and Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA) in Pediatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Preliminary evidence suggests that B-cell–depletion therapy with rituximab is an efficacious and safe treatment for AIT and AIHA in pediatric SLE. S. Kumar, MD. Pediatrics. December 15, 2008. (Also see: Lupus) |
| Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) mimicking acute ischemic stroke. TTP is an autoimmune disorder characterised by thrombocytopenia, haemolytic anemia, fluctuating neurological deficits, fever, and renal impairment. PubMed. Emerg Med J. 2006 Sep;23(9):e51. (Also see: Cardiac Involvement: Stroke) |
| Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) in the setting of systemic sclerosis (SSc). The diagnosis of TTP, and the distinction from scleroderma renal crisis (SRC), may be challenging. However, the correct diagnosis is critical because treatment differs substantially for each of these life-threatening conditions. PubMed. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2005 Feb;34(4):683-8. (Also see: Kidney Involvement) |
| Thyroid: Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and Graves Disease |
| Thyroid: Graves' Disease and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. It is common for people with scleroderma to also have other health problems, such as thyroid disease. The two main types of thyroid disease fall into hyperthyroidism (Grave's disease), and hypothyroidism (Hashimoto's thyroiditis). ISN. |
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| Tuberculosis and Scleroderma |
| What is Tuberculosis? Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease usually affecting the lungs (pulmonary TB). Other parts of the body can also be affected, for example lymph nodes, kidneys, bones, joints, etc. (extrapulmonary TB). New York State Department of Health. |
| Scleroderma concurrent with culture proven tuberculosis in a Japanese Canadian patient. We describe a Japanese Canadian woman who presented with scleroderma and tuberculosis. We discuss the possible association between these 2 diseases. J Rheumatol. 1996 Dec;23(12):2168-70. |
| Silica-dust-exposed mine workers with scleroderma (systemic sclerosis). There was a significant increase in the prevalence of tuberculosis in the past in the group with scleroderma, compared with a group of men with silicosis from the same population. The nature of the association of tuberculosis with scleroderma has not been defined. Chest, Vol 92, 260-262, 1987. (Also see: Causes of Scleroderma: Silica) |
| Tuberculous Fasciitis in Scleroderma |
| Tuberculous fasciitis in scleroderma. We here report a case of tuberculous fasciitis manifest with painful swelling of the midposterior muscles of the right thigh without pulmonary tuberculosis in a patient with scleroderma. PubMed. Clin Rheumatol. 2004 Feb;23(1):66-8. |
| Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease |
| Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease (UCTD) ISN. |
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| Vasculitis |
| Vasculitis is an inflammation of blood vessels, which can affect many different parts of the body. Sometimes it occurs along with illnesses like lupus or scleroderma. ISN. |
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| Vulvodynia |
| Vulvodynia: Vaginal pain can occur in Scleroderma patients from Sjögren's causing excessive vaginal dryness. |
| Wegener's Granulomatosis |
| Limited Utility of Rapamycin in Severe, Refractory Wegener's Granulomatosis (WG). Toxicities due to rapamycin were numerous; consistent proof of efficacy in this pilot experience with WG was not seen. C. Koening. J Rheumatol Nov 15 2008. |
| An adolescent with both Wegener's Granulomatosis (WG) and chronic blastomycosis. This appears to be the first case report of WG co-existing with a tissue proven blastomycosis infection. Reem Abdwani. Pediatric Rheumatology. August 3, 2008. |
| Results of endoscopic surgery and intralesional steroid therapy for airway compromise due to tracheobronchial Wegener's granulomatosis (WG). Intralesional steroid therapy and conservative endoluminal surgery is an effective strategy for treating airway compromise due to active tracheal and bronchial WG, obviating the need for airway bypass or stenting. S. A. R. Nouraei. European Respiratory Review, 2008;17: 30-32. (Also see: Vasculitis) |
| Systemic autoimmune diseases form a diverse group which includes: systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), scleroderma, dermato-polymyositis, Wegener's granulomatosis, Sjogren syndrome. The frequency and extent of cardiac pathology positively correlated with the detection of antiphospholipid antibodies. No such relationship was observed in patients with the presence of very high titers of antinuclear antibodies (anti-dsDNA). PubMed. Pol Arch Med Wewn. 2003 Apr;109(4):375-81. |
| Footnotes |
| (1) Medscape requires (free) sign up and password. You do not need to be a medical professional to use Medscape. However this makes for slower access to the site for first-time users. |
