Scleroderma history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: M. Khurram Afzal, MD [2]

Overview

The hallmark of scleroderma is sclerodactyly. A positive history of progressive skin tightening and hardening is suggestive of scleroderma. The most common symptoms of scleroderma include skin tightening or induration, Raynaud’s phenomenon, and symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Less common symptoms of scleroderma include shiny skin appearance and restricted movement of affected areas of the skin.

History and Symptoms

The hallmark of scleroderma is sclerodactyly. A positive history of progressive skin tightening and hardening is suggestive of scleroderma. The most common symptoms of scleroderma include skin tightening or induration, Raynaud’s phenomenon and symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).^[1]

History

Patients with scleroderma may have a positive history of:

Progressive skin tightening or hardening^[2]^[3]
Skin induration affecting fingers and extending proximally (sclerodactyly)^[2]^[3]
Exaggerated response to cold temperatures or emotional stress causing numbness, pain or color changes in fingers or toes (Raynaud’s phenomenon)^[3]
Swallowing difficulty^[1]
Heartburn
Abdominal pain
Nausea
Vomiting
Bloating
Flatulence
Altered bowel movements
Fatigue^[4]
Weakness
Weight loss
Musculoskeletal pain

Common Symptoms

Common symptoms of scleroderma include:

Skin tightening and induration (hardening)^[2]^[3]
Exaggerated response to cold temperatures or emotional stress causing numbness, pain or color changes in fingers or toes (Raynaud’s Phenomenon)^[3]
Non-productive cough^[3]
Chest tightness
Chest pain
Joint pain
Dysphagia^[1]^[3]
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Constipation

Less Common Symptoms

Less common symptoms of scleroderma include:

Shiny skin appearance
Restricted movement of affected area of skin

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 Shreiner AB, Murray C, Denton C, Khanna D (2016). “Gastrointestinal Manifestations of Systemic Sclerosis”. J Scleroderma Relat Disord. 1 (3): 247–256. doi:10.5301/jsrd.5000214. PMC 5267349. PMID 28133631.
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 Pogorzelska-Antkowiak A, Antkowiak R (2006). “[Diagnostic and therapeutic problems of scleroderma]”. Wiad. Lek. (in Polish). 59 (5–6): 392–5. PMID 17017489.
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 ^3.2 ^3.3 ^3.4 ^3.5 ^3.6 Hudson M, Fritzler MJ, Baron M (May 2010). “Systemic sclerosis: establishing diagnostic criteria”. Medicine (Baltimore). 89 (3): 159–65. doi:10.1097/MD.0b013e3181dde28d. PMID 20453602.
↑ Sandusky SB, McGuire L, Smith MT, Wigley FM, Haythornthwaite JA (February 2009). “Fatigue: an overlooked determinant of physical function in scleroderma”. Rheumatology (Oxford). 48 (2): 165–9. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/ken455. PMC 2638541. PMID 19106163.

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[pmid28133631-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 Shreiner AB, Murray C, Denton C, Khanna D (2016). “Gastrointestinal Manifestations of Systemic Sclerosis”. J Scleroderma Relat Disord. 1 (3): 247–256. doi:10.5301/jsrd.5000214. PMC 5267349. PMID 28133631.

[pmid17017489-2] 2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 Pogorzelska-Antkowiak A, Antkowiak R (2006). “[Diagnostic and therapeutic problems of scleroderma]”. Wiad. Lek. (in Polish). 59 (5–6): 392–5. PMID 17017489.

[pmid20453602-3] 3.0 ^3.1 ^3.2 ^3.3 ^3.4 ^3.5 ^3.6 Hudson M, Fritzler MJ, Baron M (May 2010). “Systemic sclerosis: establishing diagnostic criteria”. Medicine (Baltimore). 89 (3): 159–65. doi:10.1097/MD.0b013e3181dde28d. PMID 20453602.

[pmid19106163-4] Sandusky SB, McGuire L, Smith MT, Wigley FM, Haythornthwaite JA (February 2009). “Fatigue: an overlooked determinant of physical function in scleroderma”. Rheumatology (Oxford). 48 (2): 165–9. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/ken455. PMC 2638541. PMID 19106163.

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