Margarida Maia, PhD, science writer —

More than half of people with systemic sclerosis (SSc) who hesitated to get vaccinated against COVID-19 were concerned they might have a flare-up, but very few vaccinated patients have reported their symptoms worsening, according to a 2021–2022 survey study. “Even though the peak of the pandemic has passed, COVID-19…

June is awareness month for scleroderma, and this year’s theme chosen by the National Scleroderma Foundation is “Every Journey Matters,” to recognize the unique ways in which each person in the community experiences the disease. To encourage people to stay engaged in the lead-up to World Scleroderma…

Local injection with botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A), such as Botox, may ease the severity of pain associated with Raynaud’s phenomenon in people with scleroderma, also known as systemic sclerosis, a meta-analysis study found. The study, “Efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin in treating scleroderma-associated raynaud’s phenomenon: a…

People with more circulating cholesterol — a type of lipid (fat) that plays an important role in the body — may be at a lower risk of developing systemic sclerosis (SSc), according to a study of nearly 10 million people living in South Korea. Based on these findings, researchers…

In Italy, the prevalence of COVID-19 was greater, with the virus resulting in a higher death rate, among people with systemic sclerosis (SSc) than in the general population, according to a study spanning the pandemic years. The researchers also observed that while most SSc patients received three or more…

Including intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) as part of routine care may help to ease muscle, skin, and digestive symptoms in people with systemic sclerosis (SSc), a Spanish study found. The experimental treatment was seen to be generally safe, with reported side effects being mostly mild or moderate. While these findings…

Boehringer Ingelheim has joined the CONQUEST platform trial, adding a second experimental medication to the multidrug study launched by the Scleroderma Research Foundation (SRF) to speed therapy development for interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with scleroderma (SSc). In a platform trial, a master protocol is used…

A prediction tool known as nomogram may be used to calculate the chance of a person with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and interstitial lung disease (ILD) developing progressive pulmonary fibrosis, or worsening lung scarring, a new study suggests. The nomogram essentially is a pictorial representation of a complex mathematical…

A noninvasive form of vagus nerve stimulation therapy may help safely reduce pain in people with systemic sclerosis (SSc), a small Italian study has found. The technique, called transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS), which involves electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve through the skin on the outer ear…

The European Patent Office has decided to grant MediciNova a patent covering the use of an investigational small molecule called MN-001 (tipelukast) for the treatment of scleroderma. Once issued, the patent is expected to expire no earlier than June 2035. This means that the company will hold exclusive rights…