[Living with scleroderma]

Abstract

To live with scleroderma is a very difficult challenge, owing to the various and sometimes painful or incapacitating consequences of the disease. The lengthy evolution, the uncertain prognosis and the functional handicap yield a complex and heavy burden on the patient and his family. Numerous means exist to counter the sequels of scleroderma, but the problem is to combine them correctly to obtain the best possible result in terms of comfort and quality of life. The various life aids, the patients association, and the non pharmaceutical treatments have an important role to play besides the intervention of the medical specialists of the organs involved by scleroderma.