A Comprehensive Review of Systemic Sclerosis: Diagnosis, Clinical Features and Management Strategies

Introduction Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis of the skin and internal organs, along with vasculopathy. It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, particularly due to pulmonary and renal complications. Early diagnosis is challenging...

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Main Authors: Agnieszka Borowiec, Kinga Borowiec, Paulina Kwaśniewska, Julia Biernikiewicz, Milena Biernikiewicz, Anna Wilewska, Bartosz Pomirski, Agata Pomirska, Konstanty Alabrudziński, Miszela Kałachurska
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Kazimierz Wielki University 2025-02-01
Series:Journal of Education, Health and Sport
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Online Access:https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/57679
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author Agnieszka Borowiec
Kinga Borowiec
Paulina Kwaśniewska
Julia Biernikiewicz
Milena Biernikiewicz
Anna Wilewska
Bartosz Pomirski
Agata Pomirska
Konstanty Alabrudziński
Miszela Kałachurska
author_facet Agnieszka Borowiec
Kinga Borowiec
Paulina Kwaśniewska
Julia Biernikiewicz
Milena Biernikiewicz
Anna Wilewska
Bartosz Pomirski
Agata Pomirska
Konstanty Alabrudziński
Miszela Kałachurska
author_sort Agnieszka Borowiec
collection DOAJ
description Introduction Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis of the skin and internal organs, along with vasculopathy. It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, particularly due to pulmonary and renal complications. Early diagnosis is challenging, but crucial, as severe internal organ involvement can occur within three years of disease onset. SSc is categorized into subsets, such as diffuse and limited cutaneous forms with varying degrees of skin and organ involvement. Specific autoantibodies are critical for diagnosing and predicting disease severity and understanding these serological profiles aids in personalized treatment decisions. Management focuses on addressing specific manifestations like Raynaud’s phenomenon, skin fibrosis, pulmonary involvement, and gastrointestinal issues with treatment strategies tailored to the disease’s stage and organ involvement. Despite advances in treatment, SSc remains a challenging disease requiring ongoing vigilance for early detection and intervention. Purpose The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive overview of systemic sclerosis, focusing on its diagnostic criteria, clinical features and management strategies. It aimsto highlight the importance of early detection, particularly in the context of skin and organ involvement and the role of serological markers in guiding diagnosis and treatment. Ultimately, the goal is to improve awareness and understanding of SSc among healthcare professionals, particularly dermatologists, to enhance early diagnosis and optimize patient outcomes. Materials and Methods Our review is based on an analysis of material collected in 'Pubmed', 'Google Scholar' and other scientific articles using the keywords: systemic sclerosis, antinuclear antibodies, Raynaud’s phenomenon, pulmonary arterial hypertension.
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publisher Kazimierz Wielki University
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spelling doaj-art-e53f61cc788a4f14af23dc068d9ba1e62025-08-20T03:11:47ZengKazimierz Wielki UniversityJournal of Education, Health and Sport2391-83062025-02-017810.12775/JEHS.2025.78.57679A Comprehensive Review of Systemic Sclerosis: Diagnosis, Clinical Features and Management StrategiesAgnieszka Borowiec0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1428-170XKinga Borowiec1https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5546-9787Paulina Kwaśniewska2https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4677-3387Julia Biernikiewicz3https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1192-9365Milena Biernikiewicz4https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7288-6965Anna Wilewska5https://orcid.org/0009-0001-5136-4598Bartosz Pomirski6https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4868-0073Agata Pomirska7https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5367-7123Konstanty Alabrudziński8https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4729-0937Miszela Kałachurska9https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0687-638XThe Regional Specialist Hospital in Biala Podlaska, Terebelska 57-65 21-500 Biala Podlaska, PolandFaculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, PolandFaculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, PolandFaculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, PolandFaculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University Wybrzeże Ludwika Pasteura 1, 50-367 Wroclaw, PolandFaculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, PolandFaculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, PolandFaculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, PolandSchool of Medicine Collegium Medicum University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 2, 10-719 Olsztyn, PolandFaculty of Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University of Szczecin, Rybacka 1, 70-204 Szczecin Introduction Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis of the skin and internal organs, along with vasculopathy. It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, particularly due to pulmonary and renal complications. Early diagnosis is challenging, but crucial, as severe internal organ involvement can occur within three years of disease onset. SSc is categorized into subsets, such as diffuse and limited cutaneous forms with varying degrees of skin and organ involvement. Specific autoantibodies are critical for diagnosing and predicting disease severity and understanding these serological profiles aids in personalized treatment decisions. Management focuses on addressing specific manifestations like Raynaud’s phenomenon, skin fibrosis, pulmonary involvement, and gastrointestinal issues with treatment strategies tailored to the disease’s stage and organ involvement. Despite advances in treatment, SSc remains a challenging disease requiring ongoing vigilance for early detection and intervention. Purpose The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive overview of systemic sclerosis, focusing on its diagnostic criteria, clinical features and management strategies. It aimsto highlight the importance of early detection, particularly in the context of skin and organ involvement and the role of serological markers in guiding diagnosis and treatment. Ultimately, the goal is to improve awareness and understanding of SSc among healthcare professionals, particularly dermatologists, to enhance early diagnosis and optimize patient outcomes. Materials and Methods Our review is based on an analysis of material collected in 'Pubmed', 'Google Scholar' and other scientific articles using the keywords: systemic sclerosis, antinuclear antibodies, Raynaud’s phenomenon, pulmonary arterial hypertension. https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/57679systemic sclerosisantinuclear antibodiesRaynaud’s phenomenonpulmonary arterial hypertension
spellingShingle Agnieszka Borowiec
Kinga Borowiec
Paulina Kwaśniewska
Julia Biernikiewicz
Milena Biernikiewicz
Anna Wilewska
Bartosz Pomirski
Agata Pomirska
Konstanty Alabrudziński
Miszela Kałachurska
A Comprehensive Review of Systemic Sclerosis: Diagnosis, Clinical Features and Management Strategies
Journal of Education, Health and Sport
systemic sclerosis
antinuclear antibodies
Raynaud’s phenomenon
pulmonary arterial hypertension
title A Comprehensive Review of Systemic Sclerosis: Diagnosis, Clinical Features and Management Strategies
title_full A Comprehensive Review of Systemic Sclerosis: Diagnosis, Clinical Features and Management Strategies
title_fullStr A Comprehensive Review of Systemic Sclerosis: Diagnosis, Clinical Features and Management Strategies
title_full_unstemmed A Comprehensive Review of Systemic Sclerosis: Diagnosis, Clinical Features and Management Strategies
title_short A Comprehensive Review of Systemic Sclerosis: Diagnosis, Clinical Features and Management Strategies
title_sort comprehensive review of systemic sclerosis diagnosis clinical features and management strategies
topic systemic sclerosis
antinuclear antibodies
Raynaud’s phenomenon
pulmonary arterial hypertension
url https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/57679
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