News

Using a computer-based analysis to profile gene activity in blood samples may help identify the severe scleroderma patients who are most likely to respond to a stem cell transplant, a study suggests. That, in turn, will ultimately lead to better outcomes and faster improvement post-transplant for those who…

A majority of rare disease patients using telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic thought the experience positive, and many would like the option of continuing its use in future appointments, a series of surveys found. The surveys were conducted by the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) and involved more than 800…

Same But Different, a nonprofit U.K. group that uses art for social change, is inviting people to choose their favorite photographs in a calendar contest to heighten awareness of rare diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The organization’s panel of judges has pared the number of contest submissions…

Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, people with scleroderma experienced substantial increases in anxiety, but not depression, a new study has found. Results also show that older patients and those with greater financial resources experienced smaller increases in anxiety. The study, “Changes in mental health…

A new computer software, called Capillary.io, uses artificial intelligence (AI) to aid in diagnosing scleroderma at early disease stages. The tool, developed in partnership with the Sociedad Española de Medicina Interna (SEMI), was designed specifically to improve a non-invasive, highly sensitive and inexpensive technique — called nailfold capillaroscopy — used by…