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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffScleroderma complications range from mild to severe. Some may even become life-threatening.
Circulatory complications
The variety of Raynaud's phenomenon that occurs with scleroderma can be so severe that the restricted blood flow permanently damages the tissue at the fingertips, causing pits or skin sores (ulcers). In some cases, gangrene and amputation may follow.
Lung complications
Scarring of lung tissue (pulmonary fibrosis) can result in reduced lung function, reduced ability to breathe and reduced tolerance for exercise. You may also develop high blood pressure in the arteries to your lungs (pulmonary hypertension).
Kidney complications
When scleroderma affects your kidneys, you can develop an elevated blood pressure and an increased level of protein in your urine. More serious effects of kidney complications may include renal crisis, which involves a sudden increase in blood pressure and rapid kidney failure.
Heart complications
Scarring of heart tissue increases your risk of abnormal heartbeats (arrhythmias) and congestive heart failure, and can cause inflammation of the membranous sac surrounding your heart (pericarditis).
Dental complications
Severe tightening of facial skin can cause your mouth to become smaller and narrower, which may make it hard to brush your teeth or to even have them professionally cleaned. People who have scleroderma often don't produce normal amounts of saliva, so the risk of decay increases even more. In addition, acid reflux can destroy tooth enamel, and changes in gum tissue may cause your teeth to become loose or even fall out.
Digestive complications
Scleroderma can affect your upper and lower digestive tracts. Digestive problems associated with scleroderma can lead to acid reflux and difficulty swallowing — some describe feeling as if food gets stuck midway down the esophagus — as well as bouts of constipation alternating with episodes of diarrhea.
Sexual complications
Men who have scleroderma often experience erectile dysfunction. Scleroderma may also affect the sexual function of women, by decreasing sexual lubrication and constricting the vaginal opening.
- Scleroderma. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Scleroderma/default.asp. Accessed Aug. 31, 2010.
- Hummers LK, et al. Scleroderma. In: Imboden JB, et al. Current Rheumatology Diagnosis & Treatment. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=2725959. Accessed Aug. 31, 2010.
- Denton CP. Classification of scleroderma disorders. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 1, 2010.
- Varga J. Risk factors and possible causes of systemic sclerosis (scleroderma). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 1, 2010.
- Varga J. Overview of the clinical manifestations of systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 1, 2010.
- What is a rheumatologist? American College of Rheumatology. http://www.rheumatology.org/practice/clinical/patients/rheumatologist.asp. Accessed Sept. 1, 2010.
- Varga J, et al. Systemic scleroderma and the scleroderma-spectrum disorders. In: Firestein GS, et al. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: W.B. Saunders Company; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/217753976-2/0/1807/575.html?tocnode=55733367&fromURL=575.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3285-4..10077-4_2830. Accessed Sept. 1, 2010.
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