Family Medical Clinic

What is Scleroderma?

The word “scleroderma” comes from two Greek words, “sclero” meaning hard, and “derma” meaning skin. Scleroderma is a chronic autoimmune condition which causes thickening and tightening of the skin, thickening of the blood vessels, and damage to the internal organs. There are 2 types of scleroderma that are recognized:

(i) Limited Systemic Scleroderma: this mainly affects the hands, arms and face. Previously was known as the CREST syndrome, referring to the following complications:

• Calcinosis

• Raynaud’s phenomenon

• Esophageal dysfunction

• Sclerodactyly

• Telangiectasias

(ii) Diffuse Systemic Scleroderma: This is the more serious form of scleroderma in which larger areas of skin are affected, together with one or more internal organs, such as the heart, lungs or kidney.

What are the Symptoms?

The symptoms of scleroderma depend on the type and the sites affected. Some of the more common symptoms include:

• Thickening and tightening of the skin, especially of the hands and/or face.

• Small red spots (telangiectasia) on the face and chest

• Ulcers on the finger tips

• Pain and swelling of the joints

• Raynaud’s phenomenon (red, white and blue discolouration of fingers on exposure to cold)

• Muscle weakness

• Dryness of the eyes and mouth

• Shortness of breath

• Heartburn

What Causes Scleroderma?

Whilst the actual cause of scleroderma is unknown, it is known that it is an autoimmune disease, in which the body’s own immune system is involved in the abnormal inflammatory process.

Diagnosis and Treatment

The diagnosis of scleroderma is made by a thorough physical examination, together with blood tests and other specialized tests, depending on the organs affected. Sceroderma is usually managed by dermatologists or rheumatologists.

At the present time, there is no cure for scleroderma, but treatments are available to relieve symptoms, as well as to decrease the activity of the immune system, thereby slowing down the progress of the disease. Some people with very mild disease may not require any medication, and in those whose condition is no longer active, medication is sometimes stopped.

Dr Ang C.D. has been in medical practice for over 12 years. He graduated with an M.B.B.S. degree from the National University of Singapore in 1997 and subsequently completed his post-graduate diploma in Family Medicine.

He has had training in Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, Orthopaedic Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Neurosurgery, General Surgery, Colorectal Surgery and Urology.

Dr Ang currently practices in a family clinic in Singapore, seeing a good mix of paediatric, adult and geriatric patients.

With the goal of providing local and international patients with a resource for specialist care in Singapore, Dr Ang has founded SingaporeDoc.com, a Web Directory of Specialists in Private Practice in Singapore.