SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS-MANAGEMENT

SUMMARY

1. Treatment is generally symptomatic and organ-specific. No medicines change its course.
2. Localized skin disease can be treated with UV light therapy.
3. Inx patients with ILD with CT, pulmonary HTN with echo.
4. Steroids and immunosuppression for alveolitis, vasodilators for pulmonary HTN.
5. Every 3 months, check the BP, urine protein:creatinine ratio & GFR. Proteinuria and a >20% reduction in GFR predicts renal crisis. Treat with ACEI/ARB.
6. Limited SSC has a better prognosis than diffuse.

Reference(s)

Wilkinson, I. (2017). Oxford handbook of clinical medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Hannaman, R. A., Bullock, L., Hatchell, C. A., & Yoffe, M. (2016). Internal medicine review core curriculum, 2017-2018. CO Springs, CO: MedStudy.
Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. https://www.tg.org.au [Accessed 2021].