Scleroderma
Also known as: Circumscribed scleroderma, Dermatosclerosis, Systemic sclerosis
Methodology & AI Transparency ⓘ
Scleroderma Key Takeaways
Translated by Sarah Jenkins (AI RN Plain-English Translator) at a 7th-grade reading level
- 1 What it does: What is scleroderma? Scleroderma means "hard skin." It's the name of an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and thickening in the skin and other areas of the body.
- 2 Real-world patient consensus: Mapped to Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus & Autoimmune under ICD-10-CM M34.9 for Scleroderma clinical workups.
- 3 Typical cash cost range: Clinicians assessing Scleroderma focus on T-lymphocyte activation [Scleroderma M34.9] and targeted history.
- 4 Top reported side effects / signs: Longitudinal Scleroderma monitoring tracks hs-CRP & ESR [Scleroderma M34.9] toward hs-CRP < 1.0 mg/L; ESR < 15 mm/hr (M34.9).
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What Is Scleroderma?
What is scleroderma? Scleroderma means "hard skin." It's the name of an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and thickening in the skin and other areas of the body. This inflammation causes you to have areas of tight, hard skin. Scleroderma may affect just one area of your body, or it can affect many systems in your body. What are the types of scleroderma? There are two main types of scleroderma: Localized scleroderma only affects your skin and the muscles and tissues just under your skin. Systemic scleroderma, which is also called systemic sclerosis, is a more serious type.
Pathophysiology, Underlying Causes & Clinical Presentation
In Scleroderma (M34.9), physiological disruption stems from T-lymphocyte activation [Scleroderma M34.9], Cross-referenced with NIH MeSH (Scleroderma, Systemic, Scleroderma, Localized), informing Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus & Autoimmune protocols that track ANA, RF, Anti-CCP in Scleroderma (M34.9: & Complement C3/C4) (Disease-activity remission targets (M34.9)).
Common Symptoms & Clinical Signs
- • Localized scleroderma only affects your skin and the muscles and tissues just under your skin
- • Hormones . Hormonal or immune system differences between women and men might play a part in the disease
- • Presentation of Scleroderma (M34.9): systemic inflammatory fatigue, in Scleroderma (M34.9: low-grade fevers, dry)
- • Secondary Scleroderma clinical sign: triphasic Raynaud color in Scleroderma (M34.9: changes in fingers)
Primary Federal Reference: NIH / National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus Entry ↗
Scleroderma Diagnostic Classification & Lab Markers
| Metric | Verified Benchmark | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ICD-10-CM Diagnostic Code | M34.9 | WHO / CMS ICD-10-CM Clinical Classification |
| Clinical Specialty Hub | Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus & Autoimmune | NIH MedlinePlus Health Topics |
| Diagnostic / Lab Marker: hs-CRP & ESR [Scleroderma M34.9] | hs-CRP < 1.0 mg/L; ESR < 15 mm/hr (M34.9) | Clinical Reference Target Range |
| Diagnostic / Lab Marker: ANA, RF, Anti-CCP in Scleroderma (M34.9: & Complement C3/C4) | Disease-activity remission targets (M34.9) | Clinical Reference Target Range |
| Diagnostic / Lab Marker: CBC, ALT & in Scleroderma (M34.9: Creatinine (DMARD safety)) | Within normal safety monitoring limits (M34.9) | Clinical Reference Target Range |
FDA-Monographed Medications & Public Cash Price Reference for Scleroderma
Treatment selection for Scleroderma depends on clinical severity, diagnostic lab results, and medical history. Search any prescribed medication in the DotMD A–Z Medication Index to view FDA DailyMed dosing and CMS NADAC wholesale acquisition pricing.
Peer-Reviewed Human Clinical Trials & Meta-Analyses (Scleroderma)
| Study & Plain-English Finding | Sample (N) | Rigor | Primary Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Can This Approach Help? Inside the Latest Research on Tocilizumab Prevents Progression of Early Systemic Sclerosis-Associated TCZ in early SSc-associated ILD with progressive skin disease stabilized FVC% over 48 weeks, independent of the extent of radiographically evident QILD. Arthritis & rheumatology (Hoboken, N.J.) • 2021-07-15 • Phase III Randomized Trial | Multi-cohort | 88/100 | PMID 33538094 ↗ |
| Can This Approach Help? Inside the Latest Research on Peripheral Blood Gene Expression Profiling and Prognostic Significance for the Among patients with SSc-ILD in the SENSCIS trial, PBC modules involved in myeloid lineage were associated with. Arthritis & rheumatology (Hoboken, N.J.) • 2025-12-15 • Phase III Randomized Trial | N = 120 | 88/100 | PMID 40420438 ↗ |
| Can This Approach Help? Inside the Latest Research on Outcomes in Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease Based on These analyses of data from the SENSCIS trial suggest that patients with SSc-ILD who are ACA positive or ARA positive can experience progression of SSc-ILD. The Journal of rheumatology • 2025-09-01 • Phase III Randomized Trial | Multi-cohort | 88/100 | PMID 40233987 ↗ |
| Can This Approach Help? Inside the Latest Research on Benefits and safety of tocilizumab in Japanese patients with systemic sclerosis The real-world benefits and safety of tocilizumab in patients with systemic sclerosis were consistent between the Japanese subpopulation and the global trial population. Modern rheumatology • 2024-03-28 • Phase III Randomized Trial | Multi-cohort | 88/100 | PMID 37436828 ↗ |
| Can This Approach Help? Inside the Latest Research on Benefits and safety of Botulinum Toxin in Adults with Raynaud's Phenomenon Neither the primary nor secondary end points were reached, and our results do not support any beneficial effect of palmar BTA injections to treat SSc-RP. Arthritis & rheumatology (Hoboken, N.J.) • 2023-03-15 • Phase III Randomized Trial | Multi-cohort | 88/100 | PMID 36066501 ↗ |
Scleroderma Patient Community & “People Like Me” Threads
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