Low muscle mass is associated with gastrointestinal (GI) bloating in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), a recent study revealed. Disease duration, severity, and activity, as well as skin thickening, also were higher in patients with low muscle mass. “At the best of our knowledge, this is the first study…
The nonprofit RARE-X is creating an easily-accessible, centralized data hub for all rare disease patient data that can help researchers answer questions about existing disorders, discover new ones, and work toward finding treatments. It was spun out of the work that Nicole Boice, founder and chief engagement officer of…
Levels of signaling molecules called cytokines can be used to identify people with systemic scleroderma (SSc) who are at highest risk of developing abnormally high blood pressure in their lungs, a new study reports. The study, “Cytokine signatures differentiate systemic sclerosis patients at high versus low…
It’s been nearly a year since the EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases released its expansive report finding the total economic burden of rare disorders in the U.S. to be nearly $1 trillion.
Shorter telomeres — the protective ends on chromosomes and a marker of aging — were observed in people with systemic sclerosis (SSc), particularly among those with lung fibrosis (scarring) or anti-topoisomerase-I autoantibodies (ATA), according to a recent study. In a mouse model of scleroderma, treatment with GSE4 —…
The Fatigue and Activity Management Education in Systemic Sclerosis program — known as FAME-iSS — lessened fatigue and increased the use of strategies for managing what researchers called “one of the most prevalent and disabling symptoms of systemic sclerosis,” a small study reported. FAME-iSS involves group sessions led by…
Since 2008, Rare Disease Day — the last day of February — has brought together patients, caregivers, family members, friends, and advocates from around the world to raise awareness and improve equity for the more than 7,000 known rare diseases that affect more than 300 million people. In 2022, the…
Levels of the protein, galectin-3, are associated with heart involvement in people with systemic sclerosis (SSc), according to a recent pilot study. The protein could be used as a biomarker to more quickly detect and address cardiac problems. Another protein, called soluble suppression of tumorigenicity-2 (sST2), was…
High levels of a form of the CD146 protein, normally found on endothelial cells — those that line blood vessel walls — may be a potential biomarker in identifying people with systemic sclerosis (SSc), a study suggests. Certain forms of the protein are implicated in lung scarring (pulmonary fibrosis)…
People with systemic sclerosis (SSc) vaccinated for COVID-19 fare well, with no serious adverse events and a low rate of reported flares, according to an international survey. “To our knowledge, this is the first large study that details experiences with COVID-19 vaccines in systemic sclerosis. Vaccination was safe in this group,”…
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