Treatment of systemic sclerosis.

Association of pulmonary silicosis and systemic sclerosis

“…Colchicine, which is a compound capable of inhibiting the accumulation of collagen by blocking the conversion of procollagen to collagen, has been ineffective in treating the cutaneous aspect of scleroderma in our patient. The effect of colchicine has been evaluated in some very old, short-term trials, most of which deemed it as negative 16 17. A study had suggested improvement in 19 patients (15 with diffuse disease) treated for 19–57 months with Colchicine, however, there was no comparison with a control group 18…”

Arthritides

“…Treatment and management are directed toward the varied systemic manifestations of the disease. 451,468,485,636 No generalized therapy for PSS has been proven effective. Evidence suggests that drug therapy should target one or all of the involved disease processes: vascular disease, autoimmune disorder, and tissue fibrosis.…”

Increased capillary permeability in systemic sclerosis: help or hindrance?

“…It has been reported that placing the hands in warm water can increase resting peripheral perfusion and reduce the reactivity to cold,' and 'keeping warm' is a cornerstone of management of patients with Raynaud's phenomenon in SSc.47 48 We have found in preliminary trials that placing the hands in warm water (42°C) for 10 minutes induces a significant increase in capillary permeability in patients with SSc offer substantial support to the hypothesis that increased capillary permeability is more of a help than a hindrance in patients with SSc.…”