Systemic sclerosis, also known as scleroderma, is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by thickening of the skin, which often causes significant disability or physical distress. Early on in the disease course, it is commonly misdiagnosed as other diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
Patients are classified as having either limited or diffuse cutaneous disease depending on where it presents on the body. All patients with systemic sclerosis are susceptible to internal organ involvement regardless of whether they have limited or diffuse disease.
Dr. Elizabeth Volkmann, Director of the UCLA Scleroderma Program, discusses key defining symptoms that can signal early presentation of systemic sclerosis. She also reviews how to properly screen patients with a high resolution chest CT scan, as interstitial lung disease is the leading cause of death among these patients.
Elizabeth Volkmann, MD, MS, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Director, UCLA Scleroderma Program, Co-Director, CTD-ILD Program, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
Dr. Volkmann has disclosed the following financial relationships:
Grants: Corbus, Forbius. Consulting: Boehringer Ingelheim.