Overview Types of Systemic Scleroderma Classification: Limited and Diffuse |
CREST (old name for Limited) Limited Systemic Sclerosis Diffuse Systemic Sclerosis |
There are many methods used to categorize the various forms of scleroderma, which has brought about a confusing abundance of terms. The following categories are often found in patient literature, but use and interpretation of these categories varies quite a bit. (Also see What is Scleroderma?, Types of Scleroderma and Systemic Symptoms)
(PDF) Systemic Sclerosis. Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a debilitating, chronic autoimmune disease that causes the body's immune system to attack its own tissue. The underlying cause is unknown and it is potentially fatal. There are two main types, limited cutaneous and diffuse cutaneous. Roche.
There are several types of Systemic Scleroderma: CREST, Limited and Diffuse. Systemic scleroderma is also known as systemic sclerosis (SSc). It may also be referred to as Progressive Systemic Sclerosis (PSSc), or Familial Progressive Systemic Sclerosis (FPSSc).
Systemic scleroderma may affect the skin, blood vessels, and/or internal organs. When it affects the skin, it can cause the skin—most commonly on the hands and/or face—to harden. With the blood vessels, it can cause Raynaud's. When it affects the internal organs, it may cause disability or even death. (Also see Types of Scleroderma, and Systemic Scleroderma Symptoms)
Psoriasis and concomitant fibrosing disorders: Lichen sclerosus, morphea, and systemic sclerosis. In this population, a predisposition toward autoimmunity is seen as 38.5% of patients had a personal history of a third concomitant autoimmune disease, in addition to psoriasis and fibrosing disorder, whereas 42.3% reported a history of a first-degree relative with an autoimmune disease. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. (Also see Psoriasis, Lichen Sclerosus, Morphea, and Multiple Autoimmune Syndrome)
There is a need for new systemic sclerosis (SSc) subset criteria. A content analytic approach. We found a number of factors underlying the construct of SSc subsets. Considerations for the next phase include rate of change and hierarchal clustering (e.g. limited/diffuse, then by antibodies). PubMed, Scand J Rheumatol, 2018 Jan;47(1):62-70. (Also see Prognosis and Mortality: Age at Onset)
Diagnosis and Classification of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). Patients with limited SSc (lSSc) must have Raynaud's phenomenon and SSc specific nail fold capillary changes and/or SSc specific autoantibodies. Some lSSc patients who have no cutaneous involvement but common SSc nail fold capillaroscopy abnormalities, specific antinuclear antibodies, and visceral involvement are sometimes called SSc sine scleroderma. Eric Hachulla. Clinical Reviews in Allergy and Immunology. (Also see Diagnosis)
CREST Syndrome, by itself, does not have any skin tightening at all. CREST stands for Calcinosis, Raynaud's, Esophagus, Sclerodactyly, and Telangiectasia. CREST may occur alone, or in combination with any other form of Scleroderma (or even other autoimmune diseases) such as CREST with Limited Scleroderma, or CREST with Lupus. ISN.
Overview: What is CREST? "Pure" CREST "Plus" CREST Progression CREST Antibodies |
CREST Overlaps Treatments CREST Patient Stories Also See |
Limited Scleroderma is when skin involvement is limited to the hands (although the face and neck may also be involved.) ISN.
What is Limited Scleroderma? Diagnosis of Limited Scleroderma Research for Limited Scleroderma |
Online Support for Limited Scleroderma Patient and Caregiver Stories References |
Diffuse Scleroderma is when skin tightening also occurs above the wrists (or elbows, see below). There are several subcategories of Diffuse, such as Scleroderma sans Scleroderma where there is internal organ fibrosis, but no skin tightening; and Familial Progressive Systemic Sclerosis, a rare form which runs in families. ISN.
Video Overview Nomenclature Causes Diagnosis Sine: Without Skin Fibrosis |
Complications Progression Treatment References Patient Stories |
Overlap Syndrome. If a scleroderma patient also has any other autoimmune disease (such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.) it is referred to as overlap. ISN.
Juvenile Scleroderma by ISN.
Scleroderma Patient and Caregiver Stories by ISN.
SCLERO.ORG is the world's leading nonprofit for trustworthy research, support, education and awareness for scleroderma and related illnesses. We are a 501(c)(3) U.S.-based public charitable foundation, established in 2002. Meet Our Team. Donations may also be mailed to: