Joana Carvalho, PhD, managing science editor —

A stem cell transplant can lessen skin thickness and improve lung function in people with scleroderma, a longitudinal study found. These findings are in agreement with previous reports, its researchers state, and they support the use of stem cell transplants as a treatment option for patients with severe and…

Although not a distinctive symptom of scleroderma, lower back pain is a major contributor to the chronic pain felt by people in the earliest disease stages, a study based on a patient viewpoints reported. Physicians should pay more attention to lower back pain and other non-specific symptoms of scleroderma,…

High doses of corticosteroids may be given alongside rituximab, used at lower doses, without affecting the kidneys of people with scleroderma, a study reports. The retrospective study, “Effect of short interval rituximab and high‐dose corticosteroids on kidney function in systemic sclerosis: long‐term experience of…

Common barriers to physical activity in people with scleroderma range from fatigue and poor hand dexterity to symptoms like gastrointestinal discomfort and stiff joints, a large and international patient survey reports. Adjustments made to promote activity, like controlled and slow-movement exercises, regular stretching, and protective and warm clothing, however, were…

Intensified B-cell depletion therapy (IBCDT) — administering immunosuppressants to lower the number of antibody-producing immune B-cells — may be a promising strategy to help people with scleroderma manage their condition, a study shows. IBCDT may be particularly helpful for those with extensive skin involvement and severe…

Tests that measure finger sweating levels may be useful diagnostic tools to help physicians identify people with scleroderma, a pilot study has found. Future studies enrolling a larger number of patients are needed to confirm the utility of these tests, researchers said. The study, “Finger sweating…

U.K. Rare Diseases Framework, a government-led approach to raising national awareness of rare disorders, accelerating  diagnoses, and improving patient care and treatment, is now in practice. This  framework, signed by all four countries take make up the U.K. — England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland — builds on the success…

A glycoprotein called Krebs von den Lungen‐6 (KL-6), known to indicate lung inflammation, shows promise as a biomarker of lung tissue damage and likely disease progression in people with scleroderma associated with interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD), a study reports. The study, “Serum markers of pulmonary epithelial damage…

Osteopontin, a protein known to play a role in tissue regeneration, immune system regulation, and bone remodeling, may be driving scarring of lung tissue in people with scleroderma associated with interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD), a study suggests. High levels of osteopontin — produced by a subtype of immune cells…

People with scleroderma are at a higher risk of developing diseases that affect the heart or blood vessels — commonly known as cardiovascular diseases — compared with those who do not have the autoimmune disorder, a review study has found. Physicians caring for scleroderma patients should keep this risk…