ASSOCIATED CONDITIONS (MAIN MENU)
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| 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. |
| Systemic Amyloidosis Presenting as Chronic Diarrhea in a Patient With Ankylosing Spondylitis. We report a case of systemic amyloidosis that presented primarily as chronic diarrhea in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis. Consideration of amyloidosis as a diagnosis in patients who have chronic uncontrolled inflammatory conditions is also important in preventing poor outcomes related to this disease. ZH McMahan, MD. Journal of Clinical Rheumatology. January 2010. |
| Serum melatonin levels in ankylosing spondilitis (AS): correlation with disease activity. Our results suggest a possible role for this immunoregulatory hormone in the disease activity in AS patients. (SpringerLink) K. Senel. Rheumatology International. October 23 2009. |
| Work Disability in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). The prevalence of permanent work disability in Spanish patients with AS is significant, and the main factors related to it are age, disease duration, structural damage, and physical functioning. R. Ariza-Ariza. Journal of Rheumatology. October 15, 2009. |
| 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. |
| 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. PubMed. Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology Vol 22, Issue 1, March 2008, Pp 165-189. (Also see: Marfan Syndrome) |
| 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. |
| 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) |
| 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. |
| Dermatomyositis (DM) associated with acute myelocytic leukemia (AML). We present here a case presenting with DM and diagnosed to be suffering from AML on admission. This happens to be the second reported case of DM and AML with no latent period between the two diseases. (PubMed) A. Shrivastav. Rheumatol Int. March 2010. (Also see: Dermatomyositis) |
| 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. PubMed. Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology Vol 22, Issue 1, March 2008, Pp 165-189. (Also see: Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes) |
| 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 |
| Narcolepsy is an Autoimmune Disorder. Stanford University researchers say they have determined that the sleep disorder narcolepsy is actually an autoimmune disease. (HealthDay News) MedicineNet.com. 07/05/09. (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 |
| Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP)-related diabetes: quantitative analysis of endocrine islet cells and inflammatory infiltrate. This study reaffirms postsurgical glycemic control improvement (GCI) in AIP. Prominent intra-islet inflammation and decreased vascularity in AIP may contribute to diabetogenic effects. Endocrine cell neogenesis and relative islet preservation despite islet inflammatory infiltration may explain the paradoxical GCI in AIP. AB Farris III. (PubMed) Virchows Arch. 2010 Jul 15. |
| Differentiation of Autoimmune Pancreatitis (AIP) From Pancreatic Cancer by Diffusion-Weighted MRI (DWI). DWI is useful for detecting AIP and for evaluating the effect of steroid therapy. Apparent diffusion coefficient values were significantly lower in AIP than in pancreatic cancer. T. Kamisawa, MD. American Journal of Gastroenterology. March 9 2010. |
| Autoimmune prostatitis with autoimmune pancreatitis: A case report and review of literature. Autoimmune prostatitis is rarely associated with autoimmune pancreatitis with only a handful number of cases reported so far. We report a case of autoimmune prostatitis with autoimmune pancreatitis, present ultrasound findings and review the relevant literature. D.K. Shanbhoque. European Journal of Radiology Extra. February 15 2010. |
| Autoimmune Pancreatitis: Case Series and Review of the Literature. After early reports of a particular type of pancreatitis associated with hypergammaglobulinemia, others asserted that there is an autoimmune mechanism involved in some patients with chronic pancreatitis. Rada Shakov. Annals of Clinical & Laboratory Science 39:167-175 (2009). |
| 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) |
| Incidence and survival rates in Wegener's granulomatosis (WG), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), Churg-Strauss syndrome and polyarteritis nodosa. The incidence of WG and MPA was equal in our district, but there was a difference in survival rates related to age and renal function. A progressive increase in age-specific incidence rates was observed. AJ Mohammad. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2009 Dec. (Also see: Wegener's Granulmatosis) |
| 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. |
| TNF-alpha antagonist therapy modify the tuberculin skin test response (TST). Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) antagonist drugs have been associated with increased risk of tuberculosis (TB). Increased TST responses in patients receiving TNF-α antagonists may be associated with the restoration of suppressed immune reactivity against TB antigens with the decreased disease activity. Tulin Cagatay. (SpringerLink) Rheumatology International. 27 March 2010. (Also see: TNF Inhibitors) |
| 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 |
| Wegener's Granulomatosis (WG) is a type of vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels) caused by an abnormal amount of the antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) circulating in the blood. The ANCAs cause an autoimmune attack on the small and medium-size blood vessels. This can damage vital organs and become life threatening. Like many autoimmune diseases, WG may require immunosuppression. ISN. |
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| 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. |
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