Musculoskeletal involvement in scleroderma

Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2003 May;29(2):391-408. doi: 10.1016/s0889-857x(03)00017-6.

Abstract

Scleroderma can be accompanied by arthralgias, inflammatory arthritis, flexion contractures, nerve entrapment, myositis, or myopathy. Antibodies in scleroderma can occur in other connective tissue diseases; overlap syndromes between scleroderma and Sjogren's syndrome, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis are reported. Many of the musculoskeletal symptoms in scleroderma are treated symptomatically; most treatments are not proven in randomized controlled trials in these patients. Musculoskeletal manifestations are a major cause of morbidity and disability in scleroderma.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / complications*
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / pathology
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / therapy
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / complications*
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / pathology
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / therapy