What is Scleroderma

Q:

A:

Scleroderma is a chronic, autoimmune disease that most often strikes women during middle age. It can cause hardening and thickening of the skin and attack the heart, lungs, kidneys and gastrointestinal tract.

The disease is caused by inflammation of small veins and arteries leading to overproduction of collagen in your connective tissue. Collagen is normally responsible for keeping your skin and organs supple, but when it is overproduced, it makes tissue thick and immobile.

Scleroderma literally means "hard skin," but the disease is most serious when it affects internal organs, hardening the tissues of the lungs, heart, kidneys, intestinal tract, muscles and joints. This stiffening can seriously harm the circulatory, digestive and respiratory systems. In some organs, the inflammation of blood vessels causes blockage of blood to the areas.

Naomi Rothfield, MD

Naomi F. Rothfield, M.D., was professor of medicine in the Division of Rheumatology at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. She is an internationally renowned rheumatologist with special expertise in the management of systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, and Raynaud disease. Her clinical research involves investigating new therapies for these and related conditions. In addition to her work at UConn Health, Dr. Rothfield is a consultant to several other area hospitals.

Read Full Bio