Scleroderma, or systemic sclerosis, is a rare autoimmune disease that affects over 30 thousand people in Italy, mainly women. It affects the skin and internal organs characterized by progressive occlusion of small blood vessels and fibrosis, i.e. the thickening of the skin and connective tissues of the internal organs.
The earliest symptom is Raynaud’s phenomenon which consists of the change in color of the extremities of the body, in particular of the fingers due to the decrease in blood flow to the tissues and occurs, above all, when one is exposed to continuous changes in temperature, but it is not certain that it then evolves into the manifestation of the disease.
The cause of scleroderma is still unknown. A role of environmental factors has been hypothesized, such as exposure to organic solvents and toxins, or microbial agents that could trigger its appearance in genetically predisposed subjects.
Early diagnosis is important in order to receive the appropriate treatment and adequately control the evolution of the disease.
Free visits are scheduled on Monday 1st July at the Rheumatology Clinic from 2pm to 3pm. For information and reservations you can contact the following number by telephone from Monday to Friday from 10 to 12: 376.0012604.
