Systemic and localised scleroderma Flashcards

1
Q

Scleroderma (systemic sclerosis or SSc)

A

A multisystemic disease which involves the internal organs and is associated with vasospasm (Raynaud’s)
It has the highest case-specific mortality of any ARD

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2
Q

Morphoea

A

‘Localised’ or ‘circumcribed’ scleroderma - either patches or linear
thickening and hardening of the skin due to increased collagen production – presents in a number of syndromes linked by a lack of deeper tissue involvement – more common in <20yrs
Does not progress and very rarely coexists although may be ANA positive

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3
Q

Epidemology of SSc

A
1/100,000 with M:F/1:3 and ethnic variations in clinical features -- rare in child, peak onset 30-50yrs
Some heritability (MZ>DM concordance) but mainly environmental
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4
Q

Environmental risk factors for SSc

A
Vinyl-chloride
Siliac dust 
Adulterated rapeseed oil
Trichlorethylene
Drugs (bleomycin)
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5
Q

Pathogenesis of SSc

A

An initial vascular lesion in small arteries, arterioles and capillaries causes vasoconstriction, increasing vascular permeability & cytokine release –> Cytokines, immune cell activation and matrix infiltration activates fibroblasts –> increase production of collagen I & III (+fibronectin & glycosaminoglycans)

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6
Q

Clinical presentations of SSc

A

Raynaud’s phenomenon - >99% - may precede disease onset
Limited cutaneous scleroderma (LcSSc) – 70%
Diffuse cutaneous scleroderma (DcSSc) – 30%

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7
Q

Consequences of increased collagen production

A

lower dermal fibrosis & obliterative vasculopathy – this causes ischemia leading to necrosis and secondary infections

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8
Q

Raynaud’s phenomenon

A

Seen in almost all cases of SSc and precedes full disease by up to 15yrs – excessively reduced blood flow due to cold or emotional stress, causing discoloration of the fingers or toes
Can be primary (Raynaud’s disease) or secondary to an ARD

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9
Q

Limited cutaneous scleroderma (LcSSc)

A

Only affects skin on hands, feet, face and Forearms

GI involvement is common and pulmonary HTN/interstitial fibrosis develops in 10-15% – Used to be called CREST syndrome

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10
Q

Autoantibodies in SSc

A

RF is positive in 30% of SSc
ANA is positive in 95%
LcSSc – Anti-centromere abs occur in 70%
DcSSc – Anti-Scl-70 abs occur in 30%, also anti-RNA polymerase I,II,III positive in 20-25% of cases

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11
Q

Diffuse cutaneous scleroderma (DcSSc)

A

Starts with oedema which rapidly develops into stiffness, sclerosis and eventually atrophy - can cover most of the body in bad cases - Raynaud’s develops just before or along with oedema – Early organ involvement occurs with lethargy, anorexia and weight loss

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12
Q

Hand Changes in LcSSc

A

Tight skin can produce flexion deformities
Painful digital ulcers can form and ischemia can lead to gangrene
Dilated nail fold capillary loops and generalised telangiectasia can also occur

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13
Q

Facial Changes in LcSSc

A

Skin changes and tightness produce a characteristic ‘beak-like’ nose and small mouth (microstomia)

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14
Q

CREST syndrome

A
Calcinosis,
Raynaud's phenomenon
Esophageal involvement
Sclerodactyly
Telangictasia
Now replaced with LcSSc
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15
Q

Organ involvement in DcSSc

A

GI involvement is very common and characteristic. Renal involvement can be acute or chronic – major cause of death but reduced with ACEis and better dialysis. Lung disease — fibrosis leading to pulmonary hypertension (PHT can also occur alone). Myocardial fibrosis (causing arrhythmias/conduction defects) and rarely pericarditis

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16
Q

Gastrointestinal problems in SSc

A

Reflux or dysphagia –> oesophageal involvement is v. common
Anal incontinence can occur
Dilation and atony of the small bowel (and rarely the large bowel) - can cause bacterial overgrowth leading to malabsorption
Pseudo-obstruction is also a know complication

17
Q

Sine scleroderma

A

Systemic features without skin involvement

A rare subtype of scleroderma

18
Q

Blood tests, urine and imaging for SSc

A

FBC – anaemia of chronic disease and microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia in some pts with renal disease
U+Es –> Urea and creatinine will rise in acute kidney disease
Urine -> microscopy and proteinuria if kidney disease
Imaging –> CXR/CT for lung problems and barium swallow to confirm oesophageal dismotility

19
Q

Hand X-rays in SSc

A

Looking for calcium deposition around the fingers

And if severe disease acrosteolyisis (resorption of the bone of the distal phalanges) - can be diffuse or bandlike

20
Q

Management of SSc

A

Exercise and skin lubrication
ACE-I or A2RBs
Cyclophosphamide for organ involvement

21
Q

Anti-PDGFR antibodies

A

It has been suggested that autoantibodies to platelet derived growth factor receptor stimulates fibroblasts because they have been found in the blood of pts with SSc but it is not usually tested

22
Q

Use of corticosteroids and immunosuppressants in SSc

A

Rarely used unlike other ARDs

Used in SSc related pulmonary fibrosis

23
Q

Treatment of Raynaud’s

A

Hand warmers and oral vasodilators are 1st line (CCBs or ACEis)
In more severe cases stronger vasodilators and sympathectomy can be used (lumbar for feet & digital or thoracic for hands)

24
Q

Treatment of Oesophageal symptoms of SSc

A

Most are significantly improved by PPIs and prokinetic agents

25
Q

Treatment of Renal involvement of SSc

A

Tight control of HTN is important – ACEi are first line
Hypertensive scleroderma renal crisis (SRC) is critical and must be treated – early-stage, rapidly progressing DcSSc are most at risk
Risk may also be increased by high dose corticosteroids

26
Q

Treatment of pulmonary disease in SSc

A

PHT is treated with oral vasodilators, warfarin and oxygen –> if severe give prostacyclins or endothelin blockers
Treat right sided HF as normal (consider lung transplant)
Pulmonary fibrosis is treated with cyclophosphamide or azathioprine+low dose pred

27
Q

Prognosis of SSc

A

70% 10yr survival in LcSSc as it is generally mild – early death is renal and late death is PHT - 50% of SSc death is pulmonary
DcSSc is more severe and aggressive and pts die of pulmonary, cardiac or renal problems

28
Q

Relapsing polychondritis

A

Attacks cartilage (floppy pinna etc)
Assoc: aortic valve disease, polyarthritis, vasculitis
Treat w/steroids and Immunosuppresion