José Lopes, PhD, managing science editor —

Referral to specialized centers, focusing on skin lesions as well as joint and neurological manifestations, and treatment with corticosteroids and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), are among new expert recommendations for juvenile localized scleroderma. The study supporting those recommendations, “Consensus-based recommendations for the management of juvenile localized…

EHP-101, an oral cannabidiol treatment candidate for people with scleroderma (SSc) and multiple sclerosis (MS), was found to be safe and well-tolerated in a Phase 1 clinical trial in healthy volunteers. These results clear the way for Phase 2 trials, now in planning stages, to test the effectiveness…

Higher than usual serum levels of uric acid are linked to a greater risk of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) among people with scleroderma, according to new research. Its findings also showed an association between higher levels of this blood biomarker and both disease severity and mortality in scleroderma-associated PAH…

Patients with scleroderma show more frequent and/or stronger immune responses against the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), suggesting a role in disease development, according to new research. The findings also revealed a correlation between these viral responses and scleroderma-associated autoantibodies. The study, “A comprehensive analysis of antigen-specific antibody…

A subgroup of patients with rapidly progressive diffuse cutaneous scleroderma (dcSSc) experienced a relapse of skin manifestations shortly after stopping or lowering the dose of CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil), according to a five-year study. The findings also showed rapid improvements after restarting CellCept, and revealed that patients with faster…

Measuring the lungs’ diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) may improve the ability of a screening algorithm to detect early-stage pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and improve their outcomes, according to new research. The study, “Reduced diffusing capacity for carbon…

Being older, male, using opioids, having the diffuse cutaneous disease type, and muscle disease, increase the risk of pseudo-obstruction in people with systemic sclerosis (SSc), a study shows. The research, “Evaluation of risk factors for pseudo-obstruction in systemic sclerosis,” was published in the journal…

Injections of hyaluronidase, marketed as Hylenex, among other names, improved the ability to eat and reduced difficulties in opening the mouth and dental care in a woman with scleroderma, according to a new case report. The case was described in a study, “Hyaluronidase Treatment of…

Scleroderma patients with ANCA autoantibodies have a higher prevalence of interstitial lung disease (ILD) and pulmonary embolism, as well as a greater mortality risk than those without these antibodies, according to new research. The study, “Significance of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in systemic sclerosis,” was…

A device designed to continuously record heart rhythm showed that asymptomatic patients with scleroderma have significant arrhythmia, according to a pilot study. Findings also suggested that arrhythmia — irregular heart rhythm — is associated with fibrosis, or scarring, and the levels of cardiovascular biomarkers. The study, “…