News

Closely examining the capillaries of the fingers, perhaps one of the most non-invasive procedures possible, may be provide insight into pulmonary function in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). A research group from Spain, led by Drs. Ivan Castellvi and Jordi Casademont, identified worse forced vital capacity (FVC) and diffusing capacity…

New research presented at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting in Boston highlights that patients with systemic sclerosis with end-stage lung disease cannot be denied lung transplantation on the premises that other extra-pulmonary factors will determine their long-term survival. Scleroderma, also known as systemic sclerosis (SSc), is an autoimmune disease…

Those in the Scleroderma community are taking note of recent news that Bayer HealthCare will be initiating a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase II clinical study to investigate efficacy and safety of riociguat in patients suffering from diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc), according to an announcement by the company. The study is…

Inventiva Pharma’s lead product, IVA337, recently received a positive review by The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP) to treat Systemic Sclerosis. The news is a step in the right direction for patients in Europe suffering from the disease, and is also yet another positive sign of…

The University of California San Francisco (UCSF) will be hosting a free, live webinar entitled “Emerging Therapies in Pulmonary Fibrosis: Their Relevance for Scleroderma Patients,” to be conducted by the university’s Director of Biological Research for the Interstitial Lung Disease Program, Dr. Paul Wolters. It will be broadcasted on the Scleroderma…

Predicting mortality and morbidity for scleroderma patients, either of the limited or diffusive cutaneous systemic sclerosis subtypes (lcSSc and dcSSc, respectively) is important to both clinicians and the affected individuals to help determine how patients may respond to certain types of treatments. To assign predictions to patients, researchers involved…

In the study entitled “Electrical storm in systemic sclerosis: Inside the electroanatomic substrate” published in World Journal of Cardiology the authors describe a case report of a 63-year-old woman with a severe form of systemic scleroderma with cardiac involvement. In the report, the researchers highlight…

The ASTIS trial (Autologous Stem cell Transplantation International Scleroderma), launched in 2001, evaluated the efficacy of autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in patients with systemic sclerosis. A key point to safe use of HSCT is a correct evaluation of cardiac condition, and a close follow up for cardiac…

In a study entitled “Systemic Sclerosis and Silicone Breast Implant: A Case Report and Review of the Literature” the authors report a case of development of systemic sclerosis shortly after silicone breast implantation surgery. The study was published in the Case Reports in Rheumatology journal. Systemic…

A diagnosis of systemic sclerosis (SSc) can be extremely stressful for patients, and it is important that patients receive appropriate support to reduce emotional distress. Some patients may benefit from an interdisciplinary care program that incorporates physical therapy, occupational therapy, and specialized nurse care, according to a case study…