Scleroderma

Scleroderma (Syn.: sclerodermatitis, palmoplantar sclerosis) is a disease of the skin and underlying tissues in which changes occur associated with a sharp disruption of the microcirculation processes of the skin.

Etiology and pathogenesis Scleroderma affects both men and women of different age groups. The disease is characterized by seasonality, spring exacerbation in spring and summer and winter intensification in winter. However, in the summer, scleroderma changes appear less frequently. The disease develops slowly and is more common in young patients, but can also occur in older people. There are three clinical forms of scleroderma: superficial, deep and bullous. Superficial scleroderma is manifested by thickening of the skin, development of a mesh or linear pattern, and peeling. With the deep form of scleroderma, areas of hyperemia, infiltration, atrophy of the subcutaneous tissue and muscles of varying length and depth are formed. These changes can be combined with lymphadenopathy, arthritis and autonomic dysfunction. It has now been proven that about 20% of patients in dermatological hospitals suffer from scleroderma. This disease affects men 2–3 times more often than women. Men usually develop scleroderma between the ages of 25 and 5.