systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis

A rare disorder that causes thickening and scarring of multiple organ systems.

Mentioned in: Scleroderma

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systemic sclerosis,

a form of scleroderma characterized by formation of thickened collagenous fibrous tissue, thickening of the skin, and adhesion of the skin to underlying tissues. The disease, which may be preceded by Raynaud's phenomenon, progresses to involve the tissues of the heart, lungs, muscles, genitourinary tract, and kidneys. See also scleroderma.

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systemic sclerosis

Scleroderma Rheumatology An idiopathic connective tissue disease with clinical and pathologic features of GVHD, characterized by subcutaneous and visceral fibrosis, anticentromere and antitopoisomerase antibodies and prominent microvascular changes with endothelial cell damage and proliferation of subendothelial connective tissue; ♀:♂ ratio, 3-8:1-after child-bearing yrs Peak Age 45 to 55. See Connective tissue disease, Graft-versus-host disease.