How I treat patients with systemic sclerosis in clinical practice

Abstract

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) or scleroderma is a disorder of the connective tissue affecting the skin, and it is often associated with visceral involvement. The predominant pathological features of SSc are autoimmunity, vasculopathy, and fibrosis. Progressive fibrosis is associated with changes in the microcirculation of the involved organs. Here, we review the clinical features of systemic sclerosis and describe the best practice approaches for its management, reviewing available guidelines and recommendations and providing experts' insights.